Skip the Northern Ireland Government Bar|
Skip navigation



Important information about Swine Flu

Nidirect brings together lots of information from government departments and agencies, written in a language that is easy to understand. You don't need to know the workings of government to find what you are after.

Lone Pensioner Allowance (LPA)

Following the 2007 Executive Review of Rating Reform, it was decided to introduce a Lone Pensioner Allowance (LPA) scheme with effect from 1 April 2008.

The LPA scheme will provide a 20% deduction on the rate bill for persons aged 70 or over who live alone.

If someone else lives with them they may still be entitled to the allowance, subject to certain conditions, for example, if they are providing care to the person and are not a disqualified relative.

LPA is not means-tested.
In other words,whether you get the allowance does not depend on your income or savings so you don’t have to tell us about them when you apply.

The scheme will be application based and administered jointly by LPS and the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).  A different application form will be used by LPS and NIHE.

For more information please download the Lone Pensioner Allowance Leaflet (opens in new window PDF 365KB)

How do I apply ?

If you own and live in your own home,you can:

phone Land & Property Services helpline

on 0845 300 6360 (textphone 0845 300 6361);

call in at your local Land & Property Services office;

or download the Lone Pensioner Application Form ( opens in a new window PDF 112 KB)

If you rent your home or you used to own the property you live in and you still have to pay rates, you can:

phone the Housing Executive on 08448 920902 for more information;

call in at your local Housing Executive office; or

go to www.nihe.gov.uk and download an application form.