Benefits statistics summary

The Benefits Statistics Summary provides an up-to-date, concise overview of the main benefits administered by the Department. It is designated as a National Statistic and is produced quarterly.

COVID-19 Management Information

The Northern Ireland Benefits Statistics Summary is the official source for benefits statistics in Northern Ireland. These statistics are classified as National 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 benefit applications since the onset of COVID-19, DfC has released management information from three key benefits areas: Universal Credit claims, advances and payments; Jobseeker’s Allowance claims; and, Discretionary Support awards and expenditure.

This management information was last updated on 02 October 2020 and does not replace the official National Statistics for the period.

COVID-19 management information

Benefit Claimants by Extract Date (Provisional)

As well as the Benefits Statistics Summary, PSU also provide up to date claimant numbers for each benefit. These figures are provisional and do not undergo the same scrutiny as the National Statistic.

Benefit Claimants by Extract Date

Suspension of “Client Group Analysis” statistics

The “Client Group Analysis” series of statistics has been suspended until further notice. These statistics will be resumed once a method of incorporating Universal Credit data into the analysis has been assessed as suitably robust.

Suspension of Client Group Analysis statistics in the Northern Ireland Benefits Statistics Summary