How to claim child benefit in northern ireland

How to claim benefit | nidirect

The government has a range of benefits to provide opportunities and support. These are handled by various departments and agencies. If you are entitled to any of these benefits, you will need to claim them from the right place.

COVID-19

If you are self isolating or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 do not visit your Jobs & Benefits office or medical assessment appointment under any circumstances.

The different types of benefit

Benefits are available for people of working age, for pensioners, for families and children, and for people with disabilities and their carers. Each of these areas is handled by different departments or parts of departments. Making a claim from the right area will make sure you get your benefit as quickly as possible.

Benefits are divided into four groups:

benefits for people of working age
benefits for people who have retired or who are planning to retire
benefits for families and children
benefits for people with disabilities and carers

Benefits for people of working age

If you are looking for work (or are in low paid work) you can get financial help and support from Jobs and Benefits offices and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

Employed or looking for work
Jobs and Benefits offices

Benefits for people of pensionable age

Many people of pensionable age are entitled to a basic State Pension and other benefits such as Pension Credit. These are administered by The Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

Northern Ireland Pension Centre
Pensions and retirement planning

Benefits for families and children

Everyone who has a child is entitled to claim Child Benefit. Additional support is available for families who have particular requirements, such as children with special needs, lone parent families, expecting a baby and so on.

This help is provided by different sections of the Department for Communities and HMRC. Your nearest Jobs and Benefits office will help you find the right department to answer any questions you may have.

Jobs and Benefits offices
Expecting or bringing up children

Benefits for people with disabilities and carers

There is a range of local and central government support available for people who are sick, or who have disabilities, and for the people who care for them. The support tends to vary according to the nature of illness or disability.

For example, whether it is long-term, whether you were in work when you became ill or disabled, and whether the illness involves a stay in hospital or a care home.

Disability
Guide to Financial Support for Carers

Proving your identity

If you are claiming benefits you must be able to prove your identity. This is to make sure benefits are paid to the right people at the right time.

Below are some of the documents you can use to help prove your identity. Photocopies can't usually be accepted.

formal identification documents, for example valid passport, birth certificate, UK driving licence or Home Office document
work documents, for example a letter from your employer or a contract of employment
financial documents, for example payslips or invoices
education documents, for example a student ID card or student loan documents
other documents, for example mortgage or rental agreement, utility bill

Who to ask about your benefit

Your nearest Jobs and Benefits office will help you with any questions you have about your benefits situation.

Contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre to discuss your state retirement pension. For information on benefits administered by HMRC, such as tax credits, contact your local Tax Office.

Jobs and Benefits offices
Northern Ireland Pension Centre
Tax Credits Helpline and Tax Credit Office

Help improve this page - send your feedback

You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form.

What do you want to do?

report a problem

leave feedback

ask a question

Report a problem

Which problem did you find on this page? (Tick all that apply)

A link, button or video is not working

There is a spelling mistake

Information is missing, outdated or wrong

I can't find what I'm looking for

Another issue

Messages

Tell us more about the problem you're having with the nidirect website.

Enter your feedback

What is your question about?

Choose a topic for your question: - Select -AnglingBenefitsBirth certificatesBlue BadgeCareersCompensation due to a road problemChild MaintenanceCivil partnership certificatesCoronavirus (COVID-19)COVID vaccination certificateCriminal record checks (AccessNI)Death certificatesEducational Maintenance AllowanceEmployment rightsHigh Street Spend Local SchemeMarriage certificatesMotoringnidirect accountPassportsPenalty Charge NoticesPensionsPRONI - historical recordsRates or property valuationProblems with roads and streetsSmartpassMy question is about something else

What to do next

Child Benefit: How to claim

Skip to contents of guide

You can claim Child Benefit as soon as you’ve registered the birth of your child, or they come to live with you.

How long it takes

It can take up to 16 weeks to process a new Child Benefit claim (or longer if you’re new to the UK). Child Benefit can be backdated for up to 3 months.

Deciding who should claim

Only one person can get Child Benefit for a child, so you need to decide whether it’s better for you or the other parent to claim. The person who claims will get National Insurance credits towards their state pension if they are not working or earn less than £242 per week.

Make a claim for the first time

Fill in Child Benefit claim form Ch3 and send it to the Child Benefit Office. The address is on the form.

If your child is adopted, send their original adoption certificate with the form. You can order a new adoption certificate if you’ve lost the original.

If you do not have the adoption certificate you need, send your claim form now and send the certificate once you’ve got it.

If your child’s birth was registered outside the UK

When you send your claim form, include your child’s:

original birth certificate
passport or travel document used to enter the UK

If you’ve lost the original you can order a new birth certificate.

Your child’s documents will usually be returned within 4 weeks.

Add a child to an existing claim

Call the Child Benefit helpline if all of the following apply:

your child is under 6 months old and lives with you
your child was born in the UK
your child’s birth was registered in England, Scotland or Wales more than 24 hours ago
you’re a UK or Irish national and you’ve lived in the UK since the start of your claim

When you call, you’ll need your:

National Insurance number
child’s birth certificate

Child Benefit helpline
Telephone: 0300 200 3100
Welsh language: 0300 200 1900
Textphone: 0300 200 3103
Outside UK: +44 161 210 3086
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

If you do not meet the criteria to add a child by phone

You’ll need to make a new claim by post. Fill in Child Benefit form Ch3 and send it to the Child Benefit Office. The address is on the form.

If you’re claiming for more than 2 children, also include the ‘additional children’ form.

If you registered the birth in Northern Ireland

You’ll need to send the birth certificate by post when you have it.

HM Revenue and Customs - Child Benefit Office
PO Box 1
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE88 1AA
United Kingdom

Claiming Child Benefit for someone else

You may be able to manage someone else’s Child Benefit claim.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Visit Ukraine - How can Ukrainians get financial assistance in Ireland?

How can Ukrainians get financial assistance in Ireland?

We create content and work 24/7 thanks to your support

HELP

In order to receive social financial assistance in Ireland, you need a personal Public Security Number (PPSN). PPSN is a unique identification number that allows you to receive social benefits and public services in Ireland, obtained separately for adults and children.

When you apply for PPSN, you can also apply for weekly cash assistance if you need it. The maximum payout for people over 25 is 260 euros. To this, you can get a supplement for an adult ward 138 euros, for a child under 12 years old 40 euros, for a child over 12 years old - 48 euros. For adults from 18 to 24 years old, the payment is 117.70 euros with a surcharge for an adult ward of 117.70 euros. Reduced benefit rates for adults aged 18 to 24 do not apply if you have a child in care.

In addition to supplements for adults, the allowance is also paid separately for children - 140 euros per month.

How can I get help?

You can get your PPSN and apply for Social Security directly at Dublin Airport. If you did not arrive via Dublin Airport or are already in Ireland and have not applied for PPSN, you can apply for PPSN and Social Assistance at one of the government offices.

If you live in Dublin, Cork or Limerick, you should contact one of the Ukraine Support Centres. In other cities, please contact one of the Intreo social welfare offices. If you managed to apply for PPSN, but did not apply for financial assistance, please contact the same offices / centers with the PPSN code.

To apply for PPSN and apply for financial assistance, you must have:

- Ukrainian national identity card (ID-card),

- Ukrainian passport,

or other form of identification.

Once you have applied for PPSN and financial assistance, there is nothing else you need to do. You will receive an email with information about the next steps. After 5 days, you will need to come to your local office and pick up your PPSN. You will then be contacted by phone, email or letter to let you know when your application for assistance has been processed.

Personal assistance is paid weekly at your local post office. The office staff will provide you with information about your local post office.

If you have children and qualify for child support, you will receive this payment on the first Tuesday of each month. It will also be paid at your local post office.

You can also apply for payment directly to your bank account at a financial institution such as a bank or credit union. This can be done if your application for financial assistance is approved and you receive your first payment at the post office.

Payouts can be made to an account with an Irish financial institution or to a Revolut or N26 account in your name. This applies to both the payment of individual material assistance and child support.

Read more about how to make payments to a bank card here.

If you receive financial assistance and find a job, you must report it. To do this, visit your local Ukraine Support Center (located in Dublin, Cork and Limerick) or your local Intreo Center or branch. You must also notify these centers if you change your address.

If you are looking for a job in Ireland, you can check out job opportunities at www.jobsireland.ie or call a local employee and one of the employment officers will help you.

Detailed information for Ukrainians arriving in Ireland here and here. Answers to frequently asked questions.

Disability Benefits and Financial Support

A Personal Independence Payment (PIP) is a benefit designed to help eligible people meet some of the additional costs they may incur due to a long-term health condition or disability.

PIP is not funded or contributed, and can be paid whether you are employed or not. Please remember that different rules may apply in different parts of the UK.

Summary of law:

Age 16-64.
Long-term health condition or disability.
Have had a medical condition or disability within three months and are likely to have one within the next nine months.
Lived in the UK for at least 2 of the last 3 years.
Currently residing in the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man or the Channel Islands.

PIP has two components - everyday life and mobility. You may be paid for one or both components, depending on your eligibility.

There are two rates for each component, standard and enhanced. You will be judged on a points system to decide which rate you qualify for. You need eight points to qualify for the standard rate, and 12 points to qualify for the raise.

To evaluate your eligibility, you will need to be assessed by an Independent Health Care Professional. For this assessment, it may be helpful to think about how you feel on your worst days. This can help the medical examiner decide how much support may be needed more precisely.

If you are awarded an advanced mobility component level, you may also be eligible to access the Mobility Scheme or the Blue Badge Scheme (see below). You may need additional evaluation to access these schemas.

Only about 45% of PIP claims are successful. They provide information to help you understand why the claim was denied. Many negative decisions are reversed on appeal. If you are filing an appeal, make sure you have all documents in writing and be sure to request copies of all documents used by DWP in making the decision. Read carefully what they said, look at the documents they use when making their decision, and make sure your appeal clearly states why you qualify.

If your appeal is denied and you think the decision is unfair, you can file a complaint with the Parliamentary and Health Services Ombudsman.

More information and how to claim:

PIP Overview: www.gov.uk/pip/overview

PIP Claim: www.gov.uk/pip/how-to-claim

PIP Guide to Claims (Disability Rights) in the UK): https://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/personal-independence-payment-pip

New application phone: 0800 917 2222

Current claims phone: 0345 850 3322

Text Tealphone: 0345 6677

Disability allowance (DLA)

Important: Starting since April 2013, DLA has been replaced by personal independence (PIP). All new applicants must apply for a PIP.

For adults aged 16 to 64.
People who are already receiving a DLA will be invited to apply for a PIP. To learn more, use the PIP check. (www.gov.uk/pip-checker)
Some people who are currently eligible for the DLA will not meet the quality requirements of the PIP, and some who are not eligible for the DLA may qualify for the PIP.
Please note that different rules may apply in different parts of the UK.

Disability Benefit (DLA) for Children

Sarcoidosis is rarely diagnosed in children, but if you are caring for a child under age 16 who meets care or mobility criteria as a result of an illness or disability, you may be eligible to claim a DLA. You will need to show that your child has significantly more care needs than a child of the same age without any health problems.

The DLA consists of two components: a care element and a mobility element. To qualify for mobility, your child must be at least three years old.

More information and how to apply:

DLA overview: www.gov.uk/disability-living-allowance-children

DLA Factsheet: www.disabilityrightsuk.org/disability-living-allowance-dla

Phone: 0345 712 3456

Textphone: 0345 722 4433

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

If you are 16-64 years old and unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week, you may be eligible for ESA. ESA is designed to provide financial support when you are looking for a job or if you are unable to work due to your condition. ESA is a proven tool.

ESA financial support consists of two elements:

ESA contribution, which will depend on your National Insurance contributions.
Income-related ESA, which is a verified item and depends on your income and savings.

When applying for an ESA, you will be required to complete a work ability assessment to determine your eligibility. During this assessment, you should think about how you can show the difficulties and limitations you would have if you had to work during the average week when your health is poor.

After this assessment, the Department of Labor and Pensions will place you in:

Work-related task force - you will have to try to find a job and have regular interviews with a consultant.

Support Group - You are not expected to look for work because your illness or disability seriously affects your ability to work.

If you are not eligible for an ESA, you can apply for Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) or Universal Credit instead.

More information and how to apply:

ESA Overview: www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/overview

ESA Factsheet: www.disabilityrightsuk.org/employment-and-support-allowance-overview

New Claims:

Phone: 0800 055 6688
Text phone: 0800 023 4888
Welsh Language: 0800 012 1888

existing claims:

Phone: 0345 608 8545
Text phone: 0800 608 8551
VALISISKY: 087 VALISKY: 0870003

Attendance Allowance (AA)

Attendance Allowance is a non-means-tested, non-contributory benefit paid to people aged 65 and over who need personal care because of their health. You must have at least six months of care needs to apply for benefits.

This is billed at two different rates and what rate you get depends on the level of care you need due to your disability. The allowance is intended to meet your care needs where you live and not to support or support mobility outside the home.

Attendance tolerance (AA) is the DLA/PIP equivalent for people over 65 years of age.

For people aged 65 and over whose health condition lasts at least six months.
Eligibility is based on care needs based on how your health affects your daily life.
Does not depend on your income or savings; paid along with any other benefits (excluding disability benefits or personal independence payments). You don't have to pay national insurance premiums.

More information and how to apply:

AA Overview: www.gov.uk/attendance-allowance

AA Factsheet: www.disabilityrightsuk.