Phone
0800 232 1271
An agent asks about your circumstances and tells you what you may be entitled to. If you need help with a claim form, the outreach team can visit you at home.
Quick facts
- Phone
- 0800 232 1271
- Text
- ADVICE to 079 8440 5248
- makethecall@dfcni.gov.uk
- Open
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
- Who
- Anyone living in Northern Ireland
Who it is for
Make the Call is for anyone in Northern Ireland. It covers people over State Pension age, people aged 16 to State Pension age, carers, and people who are ill, injured or disabled.
You do not have to be out of work. nidirect says that if you are aged over 16 and working, you may still be entitled to some benefits, such as Universal Credit or Housing Benefit and Rate Relief.
What it can find
The team carries out a needs assessment based on your personal circumstances. It then looks at what benefits, supports and services may be available to you.
nidirect shares real examples, with names changed. A woman in her 60s near Larne was found to be entitled to PIP and is better off by £194.60 per week. A couple in their 70s near Portrush got Pension Credit and are better off by £277.26 per week.
How to contact Make the Call
Ring the Make the Call line
Call 0800 232 1271, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, except public holidays.
Or text ADVICE for a call back
Text ADVICE to 079 8440 5248 and a member of the team will call you back.
Or ask for a call back online
Fill in the form on nidirect with your name, phone number and address, and an agent will call you back.
Ask for a home visit if you need help
The outreach team can visit you at home to help you fill in a claim form.
Things to watch
If you are thinking of moving to Universal Credit from another benefit, nidirect says to get independent advice before you claim.
Do not put your date of birth or National Insurance number in the online form. If you cannot use a phone because of a language, speech or hearing difficulty, the form lets you say so.
Phone, forms and how long it takes
- Make the Call freephone
- 0800 232 1271
- Text ADVICE for a call back
- 079 8440 5248
- Make the Call email
- makethecall@dfcni.gov.uk
- Ask the team to contact you
- nidirect: Contact the Make the Call team
From the official pages (communities-ni.gov.uk, nidirect.gov.uk), re-checked every night. Numbers and times can change, so check the official page before you send anything.
Common questions
What is the Make the Call NI number?
0800 232 1271. Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, except public holidays.
What does Make the Call do?
It checks your circumstances and tells you which benefits, supports and services you may be entitled to.
Can Make the Call help me fill in forms?
Yes. The Make the Call outreach team can visit you at home to help with the form.
Can I use Make the Call if I work?
Yes. If you are over 16 and working, you may still be entitled to some benefits.
Is Make the Call for people in England?
No. It is only for people in Northern Ireland.