The Housing Benefit (Habitual Residence) (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2025 - screening
Date published:
The proposed Regulations amend the Housing Benefit Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 to ensure that where an individual is already receiving Universal Credit, there is no need to consider whether he is habitually resident in the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or the Republic of Ireland, for the purposes of Housing Benefit.
The current provisions do not allow for someone who receives Universal Credit to be treated as passing the Habitual Residence Test (HRT) for Housing Benefit payment purposes. People living in supported or temporary accommodation need to claim Housing Benefit for their housing costs and Universal Credit for their living costs.
Existing/Revised/New: Existing
Date of Screening: 19/09/2025
Screening Outcome - Full EQIA recommended: No