Skip to main content
Department for Communities Department for Communities An Roinn Pobal Depairtment fur Commonities

Main navigation

  • Home
  • Topics
  • Publications
  • Consultations
  • Contact

Translation help

Translate this page

Select a language

  • Arabic — عربي
  • Chinese (Simplified) — 中文简体
  • Chinese (Traditional) — 中文繁體
  • Dutch — Nederlands
  • Filipino — Filipino
  • French — Français
  • German — Deutsch
  • Hungarian — Magyar
  • Irish — Gaeilge
  • Italian — Italiano
  • Latvian — Latviešu
  • Lithuanian — Lietuvių kalba
  • Polish — Polski
  • Portuguese — Português
  • Romanian — Română
  • Russian — Русский
  • Slovak — Slovenčina
  • Spanish — Español
  • Ukrainian — Українська
  • Update on Universal Credit rollout schedule

    Topics:
    • Benefits and pensions, 
    • Benefits

    Date published: 2 February 2018

    The Department for Communities has reviewed and updated the rollout schedule for Universal Credit in Northern Ireland.

    As a result, the rollout phase which was due to complete in September 2018 will now be extended to December 2018.

    These changes have been made following the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s announcement in the 2017 Autumn Budget of a package of measures aimed at ensuring Universal Credit claimants receive either more or earlier access to payments.

    In order to deliver this additional work, the Department for Work and Pensions have extended the national roll out of new claims to Universal Credit to December 2018.

    The additional support for claimants and the extension to the national roll out of new claims are welcomed in Northern Ireland and accordingly the Department for Communities has also decided to extend its roll out to complete in December 2018.

    To date, Universal Credit is operational in the Limavady, Ballymoney, Magherafelt, Coleraine, Strabane and Lisnagelvin areas. It will commence in Foyle and Armagh from 7 February, Omagh and Enniskillen from 21 February, and Dungannon and Portadown from 7 March, as originally planned.

    The extended implementation timetable is outlined below:

    16/05/2018 Newry, Downpatrick
    30/05/2018 Lurgan, Newcastle, Kilkeel
    13/06/2018 Falls, Shankill
    27/06/2018 Andersonstown, Banbridge
    05/09/2018 Holywood Road, Ballynahinch
    19/09/2018 Newtownabbey, Newtownards
    03/10/2018 Shaftesbury Sq, Carrickfergus
    17/10/2018 Knockbreda, Bangor
    31/10/2018 Lisburn, Larne
    14/11/2018 North Belfast, Cookstown
    05/12/2018 Ballymena, Antrim

    The phased approach to implementation is helping to ensure that the Universal Credit service is working as anticipated and that claimants are coping with the move to a digital service. To date, approximately 1,500 claims have been received, of which 500 have now reached the end of their assessment period and are in payment. In addition, 700 advance payments have also been made to support claimants.

    Further information on Universal Credit and the rollout schedule is available on nidirect.

    Notes to editors:

    1. Universal Credit replaces Jobseeker's Allowance (income based), Employment Support Allowance (income-related), Income Support, Housing Benefit (rental), Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credits for people aged over 18 and under State Pension age. 
    2. New claimants will be the first to claim Universal Credit in each rollout area. 
    3. Existing claimants will transfer to Universal Credit between July 2019 and March 2022.  Some claimants will naturally move to Universal Credit earlier, where their circumstances have changed.
    4. Follow us on Twitter
    5. Media enquiries to DfC Press Office on 028 9082 3503 or email press.office@communities-ni.gov.uk. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07623 974383 and your call will be returned.

    Latest news

    • Communities Minister ‘tees’ off at The Open

      18 July 2025

    • Minister Launches New Partnership Agreement Between Government and Voluntary and Community Sector

      17 July 2025

    • Minister welcomes Competition and Markets Authority announcement

      17 July 2025

    • Written Statement by Minister Lyons to the Northern Ireland Assembly - Partnership Agreement Between Government and the Voluntary and Community Sector in NI

      17 July 2025

    More news …
    Share this page Share on Facebook (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share on X (external link opens in a new window / tab) Share by email (external link opens in a new window / tab)

    Department footer links

    • Crown copyright
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy
    • Cookies
    • Accessibility
    • The Northern Ireland Executive
    • The Executive Office
    • Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs
    • Department for Communities
    • Department for Education
    • Department for the Economy
    • Department of Finance
    • Department for Infrastructure
    • Department for Health
    • Department of Justice
    • nidirect.gov.uk — the official government website for Northern Ireland citizens