To ask the Minister of Finance how she is supporting people in receipt of housing benefit to pay domestic rates who lost their income due to COVID-19 after their rates bill had been issued.

Land & Property Services (LPS) administer Housing Benefit (Rates) on behalf of the Department for Communities in accordance with The Housing Benefit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 for ratepayers who own and occupy domestic properties.

The administration of Housing Benefit (Rates) is subject to means assessments that take into consideration changes in earnings on a regular basis. LPS also administer Low Income Rate Relief as additional support to homeowners whose circumstances mean they are unable to obtain full relief from Rates through Housing Benefit by offering a more generous thresholds on savings and income taper.

Those in receipt of Housing Benefit (Rates) should notify LPS of changes in circumstances as soon as possible. LPS is willing to discuss alternative payment options for ratepayers in receipt of Housing Benefit (Rates) and Low Income Rate Relief where they remain liable for any shortfall in liability not covered by a rate relief scheme.