Publications

The primary purpose of Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) is to protect owner-occupiers receiving an income-related benefit from the threat of repossession. In April 2018, SMI changed from a benefit to an interest bearing loan.

The proposed Statutory Rule make amendments to the requirements relating to the administration and governance of occupational pension schemes.

Prior to the Local Government elections in May 2023, the Department is issuing an updated Circular to the Clerk & Chief Executive of each District Council to specify the positions of responsibility which must be allocated across the political parties and independents repre

Prior to the Local Government elections in May 2023, the Department is issuing an updated Circular to the Clerk & Chief Executive of each District Council to remind Councils of the provisions in relation to the appointment of councillors to committees and specifies the ope

Prior to the Local Government elections in May 2023, the Department is issuing an updated Circular to the Clerk & Chief Executive of each District Council to remind councillors of their responsibilities to declare acceptance of their office and to make notice of any person

The Voluntary and Community Division (VCD) within the Department for Communities (DfC) is responsible for charity policy and legislation in Northern Ireland. This division is also the Sponsor Branch for the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland (CCNI).

Social security benefits, pensions and lump sum payments in Northern Ireland (NI) are generally maintained in parity with Great Britain (GB).

This guidance for trustees and managers of relevant occupational pension schemes provides information on asset allocation reporting,  performance-based fees and the charge cap.

Article 29 (1) of the Local Government (NI) Order 2005 confers powers on district councils in relation to emergencies.

The Intermediate Rent policy aims to achieve an increase in the supply of affordable homes for rent for lower-moderate income households.

The Department for Communities has produced a new affordable housing policy which aims to create an additional supply of homes, providing a new affordable 'Intermediate Rent' housing option.

There is a limit on the total amount of benefit that working age people can get. This is called the Benefit Cap. The Benefit Cap can be applied through Housing Benefit (HB) and Universal Credit (UC).

This phase forms part of the wider Department of Work & Pensions Discovery Phase with the primary purpose to test and learn on a small scale to inform the approach of moving a larger volume of claimants on to UC at scale.

The Department for Communities is statutorily obliged to review the Caravans Act (NI) every five years.

Department for Communities (DSD as was) was responsible for publishing and maintaining the Supporting People Guidance 2012.