Finance Support Service (in times of crisis and need)

If you have a financial crisis you can apply for Discretionary Support, a Short Term Benefit Advance or Universal Credit New Claims Grant via the online application form. You don't need to ring, someone will contact you.

Check what Finance Support you can apply for.

You may be asked to visit your local Jobs & Benefits office if more information is needed.

Freephone:0800 587 2750

Freephone:0800 587 2751 If you are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus and for customers with speech difficulties

Opening hours

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9.00 am to 4.00 pm

Contacting 08 and 03 numbers

An appointment based face to face service for vulnerable claimants is on offer in all Jobs & Benefits offices. This includes anyone who may find it difficult to access the telephone because of learning problems, mental illness or difficulty communicating.

SMS messages when claiming Finance support

You may get text messages (SMS) from the Department for Communities (DfC). They will always be clearly marked as DfC and will never ask you to give or click a link to give, personal or financial details by message or email.

If you’re concerned or unsure about any text messages (SMS) you should contact Finance Support. More information at: scamwiseni.

British Sign Language (BSL) or Irish Sign Language (ISL)

To use the video relay service:

check that you can use the BSL video relay service
check that you can use the ISL video relay service
contact Finance Support Service via the video relay service
the interpreter will check whether you require BSL or ISL
this service is for Northern Ireland residents only

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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.

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 your GRONI account, 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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Select a language

Finance Support Service (in times of crisis and need)

Opening hours

SMS messages when claiming Finance support

British Sign Language (BSL) or Irish Sign Language (ISL)

Help improve this page - send your feedback

Messages

What to do next

Carer's Allowance

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Disability Living Allowance

Employment and Support Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Personal Independence Payment