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    Help viewing documents

    Most documents on this website will open automatically in your web browser, but if you have trouble viewing a document you may have to install software on your computer or an app on your phone or tablet.

    Recommended software for viewing documents

    The software you need depends on the format of the document, which is shown below the document link (for instance "PDF format").

    Document type Software required Links to download reader software
    PDF document
    (*.pdf)

    Adobe Reader, Foxit Reader or an alternative.

    • Adobe Reader (for Windows, Mac or Linux)
    • Foxit Reader (for Windows, Mac or Linux)

    Microsoft Office documents:
     

    • word document
      (*.doc, *.docx)
    • Excel spreadsheet
      (*.xls, *.xlsx) 
    • PowerPoint presentation
      (*.pps, *.ppt, *.pptx)
    Microsoft Office, Microsoft Office apps (for mobiles), OpenOffice or an alternative.
    • Microsoft supported Office viewers
    • OpenOffice (for Windows, Mac or Linux)
    • LibreOffice (for Windows, Mac or Linux)

    ODF document
    (*.odt, *.ods, *.odp) 

    OpenOffice, LibreOffice, Microsoft Office or an alternative.
    • OpenOffice (for Windows, Mac or Linux)
    • LibreOffice (for Windows, Mac or Linux)

    Alternative formats

    Documents can be requested in alternative formats. For more information on the alternative formats available and the time scales involved, contact nidirect by email on accessibility.nidirect@finance-ni.gov.uk.

    Help with PDF files

    PDF stands for Portable Document Format and is a common internet file format. It's used for electronic distribution because it keeps the look and feel of the original document, including the fonts, colours, images, and layout.

    It also can be used across many different types of computers and browsers and is commonly used for government publications, leaflets and forms.

    Opening PDF files

    Web browsers such as Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox and Apple Safari have built-in PDF readers.  When you access a link to a PDF using one of these web browsers, the PDF will open automatically in the web browser.

    Standalone PDF programs or apps are also available to download for your device.  These may offer more advanced features compared with browser-based PDF readers.

    Adobe Acrobat Reader is one of the most popular PDF readers and is available free of charge from the Adobe Acrobat site or from the app store on your device.

    • Download Adobe reader

    PDF files and browsers

    You can configure your web browser to open PDF files either within the browser window or in a separate Adobe Acrobat window. There are detailed instructions on the Acrobat website on how to do so for different browsers.

    • Configure your browser for Acrobat

    You may have issues viewing PDF files on your browser. Common symptoms include a blank page in the web browser or a red X icon. There are detailed instructions on the Acrobat website on how to solve some of the most common PDF-display issues.

    Solutions to common issues viewing PDFs from Adobe website.

    PDF files and accessibility

    PDF file standards have improved over the years. They are more accessible due to technologies like screen readers, navigation through the keyboard and enhanced screen viewing.

    The Adobe site provides information on how best to use these features. You may come across earlier versions of PDF files which are not so accessible.

    Find out more about Adobe Reader accessibility from the Adobe.com website.

    What you can do with a PDF

    When you open a PDF file a toolbar will normally appear, featuring a number of tools to help you view, search and print the document. Running your mouse over the icons, without clicking, will tell you what each of them does. Options normally include the ability to zoom in and out and a search tool that allows you to search the document for a word or phrase.

    Alternatives to Adobe Acrobat Reader

    Adobe Acrobat Reader is by far the most popular free PDF viewer, but there are others available for download, for example Foxit Reader, that will allow you to view and print PDF documents on a variety of platforms and devices.

    • Foxit Reader

    If you still need help

    If you still need help viewing files contact nidirect by email on accessibility.nidirect@finance-ni.gov.uk.

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    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 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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