Publications

Finance Support is a new service for Northern Ireland that has been created to support people in times of financial need through schemes such as:

Based on research evidence and feedback from doctors, patients and employers, this guide is designed to help you make best use of the fit note to support your patients.

These memos contain advice for decision makers on Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, new style Jobseeker’s Allowance and new style Employment and Support Allowance.

HB Memos contain further guidance on the interpretation of legislation to Housing Benefit and should be read in conjunction with the Housing Benefit Decision Makers Guide.

Minister for Communities Paul Givan has officially launched the Department’s new 3 Year Plan for Improving the Uptake of Benefits entitled Supporting People – Maximising Income through the Uptake of Benefits.

Carer’s Allowance Digital Service (CADS) was launched in Northern Ireland in February 2016 and allows carers to claim Carer’s Allowance or report a change in their circumstances online.
 

International Issues relating to UC, PIP, JSA & ESA

The new State Pension aims to make the State Pension simpler and easier to understand to help people plan for their retirement.

The Benefit Cap is a limit on the amount of benefit a household can receive. This was introduced in Northern Ireland on 31 May 2016.

Find out more in the documents below.

These are the biggest changes to the benefit and tax credit system in over 70 years. Many of the current benefits for people of working age will cease to exist and we are introducing new benefits and payment systems.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a new benefit replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people aged 16 to 64 years. PIP and DLA cannot be claimed at the same time.

Questions and answers about the new State Pension.