The Decision to End Housing Benefit for Those Who Receive Help with Domestic Rates Only - Equality Impact Assessment

Overview

The Department for Communities is taking forward this Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) consultation seeking views and comments from interested parties on potential equality implications arising from the decision to end Housing Benefit for those who receive help with domestic rates only. This consultation relates to the Department's Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) of the decision to end Housing Benefit for those who receive help with domestic rates only in Northern Ireland. The decision forms part of the wider implementation of welfare reform and the transition from legacy benefits to Universal Credit. Corresponding changes have already been introduced in Great Britain and the Department has introduced similar provision in Northern Ireland as part of its policy of maintaining parity with corresponding social security provision delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Why your views matter

The Department for Communities is committed to seeking the views of those who are impacted by its decision to end Housing Benefit for those who receive help with domestic rates only. We are keen to hear the views of individuals and organisations on the equality implications of this decision, the support measures already identified by the Department and any additional measures that could be considered to reduce or alleviate adverse impacts.

This survey allows stakeholders to give their views on the decision to end Housing Benefit for those who receive help with domestic rates only - the full consultation is available on the Department for Communities website at https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/consultations.

Responses may be submitted anonymously.

The information you provide in completing this survey will be controlled and processed in line with Data Protection Legislation by the Department for Communities (DfC) and its Communications Unit. To find out more about how we handle your personal information, DfC’s Privacy Notice can be viewed online at DfC Privacy Notice. 

In order to facilitate the survey, Citizen Space, which is not operated by DfC, is used as a data processor. The NI Government Citizen Space Privacy Policy can be viewed here.

What happens next

Responses received during the consultation period will be carefully considered and will inform the Department's final Equality Impact Assessment, including consideration of potential equality impacts and the effectiveness of proposed support measures.

The Department welcomes comments on any aspect of this document. While the consultation will remain open for the full 12-week period, interested parties are encouraged, where possible, to submit responses within the first four weeks to assist consideration of any issues in advance of implementation.

The outcome of the EQIA will be published on the Department's website following consideration of consultation responses.