Benefits in Northern Ireland

Cancer can make life more expensive. But depending on your situation, you may be able to get extra money from the government through benefits – wherever you live in the UK.

Unfortunately, the benefits system can be really complicated. And in Northern Ireland, the way that benefits are changing at the moment could make things even more confusing. So for any readers out there from Northern Ireland, we thought we’d write a quick blog post about the changes to the benefits system and how you can get more information.

What’s changing in Northern Ireland and when will this happen?

Benefits are changing right across the UK. But in Northern Ireland, some of these changes may not be happening until spring 2014 at the earliest.

Some of the changes will be similar to reforms that have already started happening in England, Scotland and Wales.

Although this still isn’t 100% certain, the changes below will probably happen in Northern Ireland in spring 2014:

• A benefit cap will be introduced, which will limit the total amount of benefits you can get.
• The new benefit Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will be introduced. PIP will gradually replace Disability Living Allowance as the main benefit for people with care or mobility needs.
• Changes will be introduced to Employment and Support Allowance, a benefit for people who can’t work or have a low income, and Housing Benefit, a benefit that helps people pay their rent and other housing costs.
• The Social Fund system, which pays out to people in an emergency, will change.
• The way you appeal if you claim for a benefit isn’t accepted will change.

It’s also expected that in summer 2014, the new benefit Universal Credit (which replaces several income-related benefits) will be introduced to Northern Ireland.

Keeping updated

We got the information above from the Social Security Agency, a public body that looks after benefits in Northern Ireland. But all of these plans could still change. You should check the NI Direct website for the latest news.

Further information and support

There are various ways that you can find out more about benefits in Northern Ireland:

• Macmillan and Citizens Advice run a special benefits service for Northern Ireland – call 0300 1 233 233 for information and support, or to arrange an appointment with an adviser. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am–12.30pm and 1pm–4pm.
• You can also call speak with our Welfare Rights Advisers on the Macmillan Support Line by calling 0808 808 00 00.
• Visit the NI Direct website or call 0800 232 1271.
• Call the Northern Ireland Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 220 674, or textphone 0800 243 787 if you are deaf or hard of hearing.

Macmillan has information about benefits and financial support across the UK.

If you’re struggling to cope with the cost of cancer, we’re here to help.

Is this blog useful? What would you like to see on this blog? What would be helpful? We’d love to hear your thoughts, so please feel free to leave a comment below (you need to be logged in – if you still can't see the comment box, click on this blog's title at the top).

Keep in touch Follow Macmillan’s cancer information team on Twitter @mac_cancerinfo