To ask the Minister of Finance, pursuant to AQW 7702/17-22, whether there is an opportunity to reassess means to apply for Low Income Rate Relief after the rates bill has been issued, thereby reducing the amount payable in one payment or through multiple payments in the same year.

Awards of Housing Benefit (Rates) and Low Income Rate Relief are subject to regular reassessment of claimants circumstances. While Housing Benefit Regulations allow for retrospective reassessments, for many, changes are applied going forward from the Monday after the change has been notified to the Authority.

The assessment of entitlement to Low Income Rate Relief is determined by entitlement to Housing Benefit in accordance with Regulation 7(c) of The Rate Relief (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2007. As Low Income Rate Relief is intrinsically based on Housing Benefit entitlement, my Department does not intend to review the Low Income Rate Relief Scheme.

New applications for Housing Benefit (Rates) and Low Income Rate Relief can be made by for non-working age citizens, those in supported accommodation and those receiving a severe disability premium as part of their benefit package.

As a result of Welfare Reform, Universal Credit has replaced six social security benefits for working age citizens seeking help through the welfare system. Housing Benefit is one of the six legacy benefits replaced by Universal Credit. Working age citizens are not eligible to make a new claim for Housing Benefit (Rates) or, by extension, Low Income Rate Relief. However, claimants in receipt of Universal Credit can apply online for help with rates through the Rate Rebate Scheme administered by Land & Property Services.

If a person believes that they may be eligible for either Housing Benefit (Rates) and Low Income Rate Relief or the Rate Rebate Scheme, an application can be made at any time. If approved, Housing Benefit (Rates) and Low Income Rate Relief awards may be backdated a maximum of one month for working age claimants or three months for non-working age claimants. Awards of Rate Rebate are linked to entitlement to Universal Credit and it may be possible for claims to be awarded for a period of up to three months prior to the date the claim was received.