Benefits in Newry Mourne and Down

Who claims in Newry Mourne and Down, and who may be missing out

These lines come from the Missing Money Index for Northern Ireland: claimants in Newry Mourne and Down (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: 6,290 claim it, against 8,256 people aged 65 and over whose day-to-day activities are limited a lot. Index 107 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 438 people. No means test.
• Carer's Allowance: 7,960 claim it, against 11,985 people giving 20 or more hours of unpaid care a week. Index 104 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 322 people. Not means-tested, but an earnings limit applies.
• Pension Credit: 6,280 claim it, against 28,336 people aged 66 and over. Index 113 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 729 people. Means-tested.
• Personal Independence Payment: 20,120 claim it, against 21,959 people aged 16 to 64 with a long-term condition that limits their day-to-day activities. Index 103 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 527 people. No means test.
• State Pension: 30,420 claim it, against 28,336 people aged 66 and over. Index 101 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), above the Northern Ireland rate by 234 people. Contributory.
• Employment and Support Allowance: 7,970 claim it, against 10,399 people economically inactive because long-term sick or disabled. Index 98 (100 is the Northern Ireland rate), 198 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 Newry Mourne and Down

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.

• Ballynahinch Jobs and Benefits office
  18 Crossgar Rd, Ballynahinch, BT24 8XP · 0800 001 5782 · ballynahinch.jobsandbenefits@dfcni.gov.uk
• Downpatrick Jobs and Benefits office
  Market Street, Downpatrick, BT30 6LZ · 0800 001 5782 · downpatrick.jobsandbenefits@dfcni.gov.uk
• Kilkeel Jobs and Benefits office
  Newry Street, Kilkeel, BT34 4DR · 0800 001 5782 · kilkeel.jobsandbenefits@dfcni.gov.uk
• Newcastle Jobs and Benefits office
  31 Valentia Place, Newcastle, BT33 0EJ · 0800 001 5782 · newcastle.jobsandbenefits@dfcni.gov.uk
• Newry Jobs and Benefits office
  40 Bridge Street, Newry, BT35 8AJ · 0800 001 5782 · newry.jobsandbenefits@dfcni.gov.uk

Free, independent advice in Newry Mourne and Down

• 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.