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  5. Ukrainian nationals: accessing services in Northern Ireland

Ukrainian nationals: applying for benefits

This page contains information about applying for welfare benefits in Northern Ireland for those arriving from Ukraine. It includes the types of benefits available and how to apply.

Applying for benefits

The UK has a welfare system to help those who face financial hardship, or who have specific needs.

Your local Jobs and Benefits office will be able to help you find out which benefits you may be able to access. Details can be found at Jobs and Benefits offices or at JobApplyNI

This may include:

  • Universal Credit – a payment for those of working age, to help with your living costs if you are on a low income - you could be working (including self-employed or part-time) or be out of work
  • Pension Credit - extra money to help with your living costs if you are over the age of 66 and on a low income - applications for Pensions is online or via telephone
  • Disability benefits – extra money to help with additional costs if you have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability
  • Carers Allowance – extra money if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week
  • Child Benefit – extra money to help with the cost of raising a child

The different types of benefits you could receive can be found at: 

  • How to claim benefit 

You can apply for Universal Credit online. You will need to create an account to make a claim. You must complete your claim within 28 days of creating your account or you will have to start again.

To apply online you’ll need:

  • your bank, building society or credit union account details
  • an email address 
  • access to a phone

You will also have to prove your identity. You’ll need some identity documents for this, for example your:

  • passport
  • debit or credit card

If you need help with your Universal Credit claim you can call the Universal Credit helpline on:

  • freephone: 0800 012 1331

The main method of paying benefits is into a bank account by direct credit transfer (called ‘direct payment’). This means the money goes straight into a bank account in your name. If you make a claim, you will be asked for details of the bank account you want to use. 

You can have your benefit paid into:

  • a standard bank or building society account (for example, a current account)
  • a basic bank account (also called an introductory account)

Find out more information about opening a bank account:

  • Accessing services – banking and National Insurance Number

 

 

 

 

 

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Ukrainian nationals: accessing services in Northern Ireland

  • English for speakers of other languages (ESOL)
  • Social housing
  • Ukrainian nationals: accessing health care
  • Ukrainian nationals: applying for benefits
  • Ukrainian nationals: banking and getting a National Insurance (NI) Number
  • Ukrainian nationals: education and childcare
  • Ukrainian nationals: getting a job

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What to do next

Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Call 0800 587 2750 
Email 
customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

Disability Living Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912 
Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

  • Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
  • Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about:

  • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
    contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
     
  • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
    contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

 

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly.  We don't have access to information about you.

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  • gov.uk
  • nibusinessinfo.co.uk

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