Benefits in Mid Ulster

Who claims in Mid Ulster, and who may be missing out

These lines come from the Missing Money Index for Northern Ireland: claimants in Mid Ulster (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: 4,570 claim it, against 6,332 people aged 65 and over whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot. Index 102 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 82 people. No means test.
• Carer's Allowance: 6,260 claim it, against 8,833 people giving 20 or more hours of unpaid care a week. Index 111 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 631 people. Not means-tested, but an earnings limit applies.
• Pension Credit: 5,080 claim it, against 21,137 people aged 66 and over. Index 123 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 939 people. Means-tested.
• Personal Independence Payment: 14,890 claim it, against 16,616 people aged 16 to 64 with a long-term condition that limits their day-to-day activities. Index 100 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 64 people. No means test.
• State Pension: 22,490 claim it, against 21,137 people aged 66 and over. Index 100 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), 27 people short of the Northern Ireland rate. Contributory.
• Employment and Support Allowance: 5,910 claim it, against 7,623 people economically inactive because long-term sick or disabled. Index 99 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), 78 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 Mid Ulster

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.

• Cookstown Jobs and Benefits office
  Molesworth Street, Cookstown, BT80 8NX · 0800 001 5782 · cookstown.jobsandbenefits@dfcni.gov.uk
• Dungannon Jobs and Benefits office
  36 Thomas Street, Dungannon, BT70 1EN · 0800 001 5782 · dungannon.ucnifrontoffice@dfcni.gov.uk
• Magherafelt Jobs and Benefits office
  31 Station Road, Magherafelt, BT45 5DJ · 0800 001 5782 · magherafelt.jobsandbenefits@dfcni.gov.uk

Free, independent advice in Mid Ulster

• 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.