Strong response to rating relief scheme for pensioners

There has been a sizeable response to a new scheme aimed at providing rate relief for Lone Pensioners.

The Lone Pensioner Allowance was introduced on 1 April 2008 by Land & Property Services (LPS) and to date more than 1,500 applications have been received.

Staff are issuing approximately 1,000 application froms per day and this does not include forms that may have be issued by the Advisory Sector and downloaded from websites. To date more than 11,000 forms have been issued.

Commenting on these results, Finance Minister Peter Robinson said: “I am delighted with the response this scheme has generated. I would like to see as many older people as possible benefiting from rating relief.

“While the Lone Pensioner Allowance aims to help those who are aged 70 or over, and who live alone, there are circumstances in which people may be entitled to this rate relief even if they do not live alone.

"I would urge anyone with older relatives or friends who might be entitled to the Lone Pensioner Allowance to make sure that they know about this help and how to apply.”

Land & Property Services is very keen to encourage take up of this scheme. As well as including an information leaflet with all rates bills, the scheme has been advertised in numerous ways including posters in all rates offices, GP surgeries, Credit Unions and the advisory sector. A LPS representative has also appeared on Radio Ulster to discuss the scheme detail.

Minister Robinson continued: “I am aware of the poor record around rate relief among the elderly, particularly those in the owner occupied sector.

“I made it clear during the recent review of the rating system that I want to see what extra help we can give to the most vulnerable in society, especially the elderly.

“While the Lone Pensioner Allowance goes some way to address this issue, there is still a job of work for the Department to do.

“To ensure that as many ratepayers as possible receive the rating relief to which they are entitled I have asked LPS to consider and develop plans to implement relevant recommendations from a recent study. This study was commissioned by DFP Rating Policy Division, and produced by the Voluntary Sector, and made recommendations to increase the take up of the full range of available rating relief.”

A special team has also been set-up within Land & Property Services to deal with all aspects of work relating to Lone Pensioner Allowance.

Application forms can be obtained by phone from Land & Property Services on: 084 5300 6360 or from the Housing Executive on: 08448 920902.

Forms can also be downloaded from the Land & Property Services website or the Northern Ireland Housing Executive website.

Notes to Editors:

1. In November 2007 the Finance Minister, Peter Robinson, announced the outcome of the Executive’s Review of Domestic Rating. The outcome included a 20% single pensioner reduction for those ratepayers aged 70 and over, who live alone, and an increase in the savings threshold from £16,000 to £50,000 for pensioners under the existing lower income Rate Relief Scheme, both to take effect from 1 April 2008. (Eligibility for the Rate Relief Scheme, which is means tested, depends on a number of factors including individual and household income levels.)
2. The Lone Pensioner Allowance adds to an already existing range of rate reliefs, which include Housing Benefit, Rate Relief, Disabled Person’s Allowance, help for people in full-time education or training, under 18s and young people leaving care. Details of the full range of help were enclosed with rate bills.
3. The Lone Pensioner Allowance is administered by Land & Property Services for the owner-occupier sector and by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive for the rental sector.
4. Land & Property Services is the new executive agency within the Department of Finance & Personnel formed by the merger of the former Valuation and Lands Agency and the Rate Collection Agency. From 1 April 2008 LPS incorporated Land Registers of Northern Ireland and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.
5. Media enquiries only to DFP Communications Office on 028 9052 7374 or 028 9052 7375. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.