Universal Credit is a new payment to help support households that are out of work or are on a low income. Universal Credit was introduced in Northern Ireland on a phased geographical basis from 27 September 2017. Statistics have been compiled on the following:

  • The number of claimants and households on Universal Credit
  • Family type of households on Universal Credit
  • Average payments households receive
  • Statistics on housing support
  • Where Universal Credit claimants are located
  • The work conditionality regime that claimants belong to

COVID-19 Management Information

The Northern Ireland Universal Credit Quarterly Report is the official source for Universal Credit statistics in Northern Ireland. These statistics are classified as experimental statistics and in order to ensure that they meet the highest standards of quality, trustworthiness and public value they are published at a 3 month lag from the time period to which they refer.

However, as there has been significant interest in Universal Credit applications since the onset of COVID-19, the Department has released Management Information related to Universal Credit Claims, Payments and Advances. Detailed information was first released on 06 May 2020 with a further update on 05 June 2020. A summary dashboard was also released on 05 June 2020 and was last updated on 02 October 2020.  

These do not replace the official statistics for the period.

Latest Universal Credit Publication

Previous Universal Credit Publications

User Consultation 

Professional Services Unit (PSU) would appreciate your feedback on the Universal Credit Statistics publication. The request for user feedback and survey can be found below;

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