Benefits in Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon

Who claims in Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon, and who may be missing out

These lines come from the Missing Money Index for Northern Ireland: claimants in Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon (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: 6,920 claim it, against 9,655 people aged 65 and over whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot. Index 101 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 77 people. No means test.
• Carer's Allowance: 8,420 claim it, against 13,367 people giving 20 or more hours of unpaid care a week. Index 99 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), 99 people short of the Northern Ireland rate. Not means-tested, but an earnings limit applies.
• Pension Credit: 6,460 claim it, against 32,861 people aged 66 and over. Index 100 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 22 people. Means-tested.
• Personal Independence Payment: 22,330 claim it, against 25,820 people aged 16 to 64 with a long-term condition that limits their day-to-day activities. Index 97 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), 708 people short of the Northern Ireland rate. No means test.
• State Pension: 35,190 claim it, against 32,861 people aged 66 and over. Index 101 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 183 people. Contributory.
• Employment and Support Allowance: 9,360 claim it, against 11,677 people economically inactive because long-term sick or disabled. Index 102 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 188 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 Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon

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.

• Armagh Jobs and Benefits office
  Alexander Road, Armagh, BT61 7JL · 0800 001 5782 · armagh.jobsandbenefits@dfcni.gov.uk
• Banbridge Jobs and Benefits office
  18 Castlewellan Road, Banbridge, BT32 4AZ · 0800 001 5782 · banbridge.jobsandbenefits@dfcni.gov.uk
• Lurgan Jobs and Benefits office
  Alexandra Crescent, Lurgan, BT66 6BB · 0800 001 5782 · lurgan.jobsandbenefits@dfcni.gov.uk
• Portadown Jobs and Benefits office
  140 Jervis Street, Portadown, BT62 3BZ · 0800 001 5782 · portadown.jobsandbenefits@dfcni.gov.uk

Free, independent advice in Armagh City Banbridge and Craigavon

• 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.