Benefits in Antrim and Newtownabbey

Who claims in Antrim and Newtownabbey, and who may be missing out

These lines come from the Missing Money Index for Northern Ireland: claimants in Antrim and Newtownabbey (2025, Department for Communities) divided by the people the benefit is for in the 2021 Census. It is a take-up index, not a count of who is eligible: the Census holds no income. The lowest line is the one to ask about.

• Attendance Allowance: 4,690 claim it, against 6,668 people aged 65 and over whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot. Index 99 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), 36 people short of the Northern Ireland rate. No means test.
• Carer's Allowance: 4,990 claim it, against 9,419 people giving 20 or more hours of unpaid care a week. Index 83 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), 1,013 people short of the Northern Ireland rate. Not means-tested, but an earnings limit applies.
• Pension Credit: 3,450 claim it, against 23,579 people aged 66 and over. Index 75 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), 1,169 people short of the Northern Ireland rate. Means-tested.
• Personal Independence Payment: 15,410 claim it, against 18,320 people aged 16 to 64 with a long-term condition that limits their day-to-day activities. Index 94 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), 936 people short of the Northern Ireland rate. No means test.
• State Pension: 25,190 claim it, against 23,579 people aged 66 and over. Index 100 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 71 people. Contributory.
• Employment and Support Allowance: 6,270 claim it, against 7,563 people economically inactive because long-term sick or disabled. Index 106 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 329 people. Income-related ESA is means-tested; contributory ESA is not.

If you are over 66 and not claiming, start with Attendance Allowance and Pension Credit; if you care for someone, Carer’s Allowance. Or run the free check for Northern Ireland and see everything at once.

Jobs and Benefits offices in Antrim and Newtownabbey

Where you make and manage a claim in person. Details as the Department for Communities’ own pages give them (read 2026-10-15); opening hours are on each office’s page. The appointment line for every office is 0800 001 5782.

• Antrim Jobs and Benefits office
  20 Castle Street, Antrim, BT41 4JE · 0800 001 5782 · antrim.jobsandbenefits@dfcni.gov.uk
• Newtownabbey Jobs and Benefits office
  39 - 41 Church Road, Newtownabbey, BT36 7LB · 0800 001 5782 · newtownabbey.jobsandbenefits@dfcni.gov.uk

Free, independent advice in Antrim and Newtownabbey

• Advice NI: the independent advice network, with members in every council; freephone 0800 915 4604.
• Make the Call: the Department for Communities’ own benefit entitlement check, 0800 232 1271.
• Age NI for anyone over 60: 0808 808 7575.

About these figures

Claimants by council are from the Department for Communities (NISRA table BSLGD); the groups they are set against are from the 2021 Census (NISRA). The method, caveats and all eleven councils are on the Index for Northern Ireland. Office details come from communities-ni.gov.uk and are re-read when this page is rebuilt. Last built 15 October 2026. Other councils: Northern Ireland by council. Across the border: Ireland by county.