Benefits in Derry City and Strabane

Who claims in Derry City and Strabane, and who may be missing out

These lines come from the Missing Money Index for Northern Ireland: claimants in Derry City and Strabane (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: 4,860 claim it, against 7,717 people aged 65 and over whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot. Index 89 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), 610 people short of the Northern Ireland rate. No means test.
• Carer's Allowance: 8,680 claim it, against 10,843 people giving 20 or more hours of unpaid care a week. Index 126 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 1,770 people. Not means-tested, but an earnings limit applies.
• Pension Credit: 6,630 claim it, against 22,564 people aged 66 and over. Index 150 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 2,210 people. Means-tested.
• Personal Independence Payment: 24,940 claim it, against 23,411 people aged 16 to 64 with a long-term condition that limits their day-to-day activities. Index 119 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 4,052 people. No means test.
• State Pension: 24,490 claim it, against 22,564 people aged 66 and over. Index 102 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 453 people. Contributory.
• Employment and Support Allowance: 9,450 claim it, against 12,831 people economically inactive because long-term sick or disabled. Index 94 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), 629 people short of the Northern Ireland rate. 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 Derry City and Strabane

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.

• Foyle Jobs and Benefits office
  Asylum Road, Londonderry, BT48 7EA · 0800 001 5782 · foyle.delmail@dfcni.gov.uk
• Lisnagelvin Jobs and Benefits office
  Lisnagelvin, Londonderry, BT47 2NJ · 0800 001 5782 · lisnagelvin.jobsandbenefits@dfcni.gov.uk
• Strabane Jobs and Benefits office
  18 Urney Road, Strabane, BT82 9BX · 0800 001 5782 · strabane.jobsandbenefits@dfcni.gov.uk

Free, independent advice in Derry City and Strabane

• 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.