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  1. How we can help
  2. Advice

Advice

Disability Action  provides an Advice Service through our Belfast, Dungannon and Carrickfergus Offices.  We have three advisors and appointments can be limited due to the demand on the service.  You can contact your closest office for availability.  Please note that not all offices are staffed at all times. 

If you are seeking advice in relation to changes to social security benefits such as Personal Independence Payment, Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance then please contact the Welfare Changes Freephone Helpline. 

This service provided by Citizens Advice (CAB), Advice NI and Law Centre NI can offer free and independent advice on DLA, Personal Independence Payment, Employment Support Allowance, Housing Benefit and Universal Credit.

They can be contacted on 0808 802 0020 or by email: [email protected]

For other areas that you may require advice on you should contact your local advice agency.  You can use the Advice NI website to find a local agency or use the Citizens Advice Website to find your nearest CAB.


Personal Independence Payment

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a new benefit replacing Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for people aged between 16 to 64 years. PIP and DLA cannot be claimed at the same time.

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The reform of disability living allowance (DLA) means that DLA is being replaced by a new benefit called personal independence payment (PIP) for those of working age (16-64).  The change started in June 2016.  

PIP helps towards some of the extra costs arising from having a long-term health condition or disability. There will be a three month qualifying period and the health condition or disability must be expected to last for a further nine months. Entitlement to PIP is based on the effect a long term health condition has on your daily life, not the condition itself.

DLA will stay for children up to the age of 16 years, both for existing or new claims. People who were aged 65 years or over on 20 June 2016 will continue to receive DLA provided they continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

You can find out more on NI Direct

Published: 2nd February, 2018

Updated: 20th March, 2018

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Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) offers support and financial help so you can do suitable work if you are able to.

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Employment and Support Allowance consists of two phases:

  • The assessment phase rate is paid for the first 13 weeks of your claim while a decision is made on your capability for work through the Work Capability Assessment

  • The main phase starts from week 14 of your claim, if the work Capability Assessment shows that your illness or disability does limit your ability to work.


There are two groups within the main phase.  Please note you can be reassessed at any time in either group.

Work Related Activity Group

If you are placed in the Work Related Activity Group, you will be expected to take part in work focused interviews with your personal adviser. You will get support to help you prepare for suitable work.

In return, you will receive a work related activity component in addition to your basic rate.

Support Group

If you are placed in the Support Group you will not be expected to take part in any work. You can do so on a voluntary basis if you want to.

You will receive a support component in addition to your basic rate.

Helping you into work

If you are in the Work Related Activity Group, you will regularly see your personal adviser to discuss your work prospects. They will give you help and advice.


If you refuse to go to the work focused interviews, or to take part in the work focused interviews, it may affect your entitlement to Employment and Support Allowance.

If you are in the Support Group you do not have to go to interviews, but you can ask to talk to a personal adviser if you want to.

You can find out more on NI Direct 

Published: 4th February, 2018

Updated: 20th March, 2018

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Financial Support

Finance Support is available to support people in times of financial crisis or need. Crisis Loans and Community Care Grants that were available under the Social Fund have now ended.

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About Finance Support

Finance Support can provide help through:

  • Discretionary Support
  • Short-term Benefit Advances
  • Sure Start Maternity Grants
  • Funeral Payments
  • Budgeting Loans
  • Cold Weather Payments


Find out more on NI Direct 

Published: 5th February, 2018

Updated: 20th March, 2018

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Travel, Holidays & Breaks

Information for people with disabilities on travel and holidays, including travel in the UK and abroad, and air travel.

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You can find out more on the NI Direct website:

  • Getting there
  • Planning a trip if you have a disability

Find out more

Published: 5th February, 2018

Updated: 20th March, 2018

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Health and Social Care

Information on a wide range of health and social care support including Direct Payments, help with health costs and how to arrange health and social care.

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Use the NI Direct website to find out about: 

  • Arranging health and social care
  • Direct payments
  • Employing a professional carer or personal assistant
  • Help with health costs
  • Hospitals and people with disabilities
  • Mental health
  • Who's who in health services
  • Your rights in health

Find out more

Published: 5th February, 2018

Updated: 20th March, 2018

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Motoring and Transport

Information on all aspects of motoring and transport including Blue Badges, the Motability Scheme and vehicle tax exemption.

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Use the NI Direct website to find out about: 

  • Accessible parking bays
  • Blue Badge scheme
  • Motoring and transport information
  • Travel Safe

The Motability Scheme

Buying and adapting a car can be expensive. The Motability Scheme gives people with disabilities the opportunity to lease a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair using their government-funded mobility allowance.

More information on the Motability Scheme

Published: 5th February, 2018

Updated: 20th March, 2018

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Benefit and concessions for older people

When you retire, your income usually reduces. You may qualify for certain benefits on top of any State Pension you're entitled to. Some of these benefits are age-related, others depend on income.

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You can find out more about support available on the NI Direct website links below.

  • Benefits in retirement
  • Free sight tests for over-60s and help with other health costs
  • Free TV licences
  • Public transport concessions for the over 60s
  • Qualifying for a free passport
  • Winter Fuel Payment

Published: 5th February, 2018

Updated: 20th March, 2018

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Housing Benefit and Rate Relief for tenants

If you rent your home and have a low income, you might be entitled to Housing Benefit, Rate Relief or both.

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Housing Benefit can help pay the rent and rates on your home. Rate Relief is help to pay your rates. To claim, you apply to the Housing Executive.

Claiming Housing Benefit
You can claim Housing Benefit if you pay rent and rates for your home and you:

  • are a Housing Executive tenant
  • are a housing association tenant
  • are a private tenant
  • live in a hostel
  • live in bed and breakfast accommodation
  • are a boarder or lodger

Rate Relief for tenants
If you're a tenant and you're getting Housing Benefit to pay some of your rates, you may be entitled to Rate Relief. If you aren't eligible for Housing Benefit, you might qualify for Rate Relief.


Find out more on NI Direct 

Published: 5th February, 2018

Updated: 20th March, 2018

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Income Support

Income Support is extra money to help people on a low income. It’s for people who are not signed on as unemployed

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Universal Credit is being introduced in Northern Ireland on a phased geographical basis. If you live in an area where Universal Credit is available, you should make a claim for it instead of Income Support.

Whether you are eligible for Income Support and how much you get depends on your circumstances.

Find out more on NI Direct 

Published: 5th February, 2018

Updated: 20th March, 2018

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Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for over 65's

If you were over 65yrs on the 20th June 2016 and already in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), then you can remain on the benefit providing you continue to meet the qualifying criteria.

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If you were over 65yrs and claiming DLA in Northern Ireland on the 20th June 2016 and already in receipt of  Disability Living Allowance (DLA), then you can remain on the benefit providing you continue to meet the qualifying criteria.


You will not be reassessed for Personal Independence Payment.

Find out more on NI Direct 

Published: 5th February, 2018

Updated: 20th March, 2018

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Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children

This benefit is for children who need help with their personal care and / or mobility as a result of an illness and/or disability. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children is not means tested and is not affected by other benefits.

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This benefit is for children who need help with their personal care and / or mobility as a result of an illness and/or disability. Disability Living Allowance (DLA) for children is not means tested and is not affected by other benefits.

There are two components to Child DLA:

  • Care Component

  • Mobility Component


There is a mobility component, (paid at two rates), for children who have mobility needs such as being to walk outdoors or who would require guidance or supervision on an unfamiliar route.  To qualify for the low rate mobility component they must be aged over 5 years, and for the high rate mobility component they must be aged over 3yrs

The care component, (paid at three rates), for children need help with things like eating, washing, getting dressed and going on social activities.  There is no lower age limit for the care component, but as there is a three month qualifying time, it will not usually be paid until the child is three months old.

If the child is terminally ill there is no qualifying period and they can be paid the care component from birth.

Find out more on NI Direct 

 

Published: 5th February, 2018

Updated: 20th March, 2018

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Universal Credit

Universal Credit is a payment for people over 18 but under State Pension age who are on a low income or out of work. Universal Credit includes support for the cost of housing, children and childcare, and financial support for people with disabilities, carers and people too ill to work.

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Universal Credit is being introduced for new claims on a phased geographical basis across Northern Ireland from September 2017 to December 2018.   If you currently receive one of the benefits that is being replaced by Universal Credit you do not need to do anything until you are contacted.

Find out when it will be introduced in your area

Universal Credit will replace the following benefits:

  • the means tested part of Jobseeker’s Allowance

  • the means tested part of Employment and Support Allowance

  • Income Support

  • Child Tax Credits

  • Working Tax Credits

  • Housing Benefit

Further Information


Find out more on NI Direct 

Published: 5th February, 2018

Updated: 20th March, 2018

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Showing 10 of 12

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Disability Action, Portside Business Park, 189 Airport Road West, Belfast, BT3 9ED
Registered with the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland NIC100004
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