How we can help Advice Housing Benefit and Rate Relief for tenants Housing Benefit can help pay the rent and rates on your home. Rate Relief is help to pay your rates. To claim, you apply to the Housing Executive. Claiming Housing BenefitYou can claim Housing Benefit if you pay rent and rates for your home and you: are a Housing Executive tenant are a housing association tenant are a private tenant live in a hostel live in bed and breakfast accommodation are a boarder or lodger Rate Relief for tenantsIf you're a tenant and you're getting Housing Benefit to pay some of your rates, you may be entitled to Rate Relief. If you aren't eligible for Housing Benefit, you might qualify for Rate Relief. Find out more on NI Direct