News Release Page Title

17 May 2000

INCOME SUPPORT STATISTICS PUBLISHED

An analysis of claimants of Income Support in Northern Ireland at May 1999 was published today by the Department for Social Development.

These summary statistics include the number and age of Income Support claimants, their partners and dependants and the amounts of benefit. A Northern Ireland District Council analysis and United Kingdom analysis by Government Office Region is also included.

The main findings are:

  • The numbers claiming Income Support increased slightly from May 1998 to May 1999 to stand at 166,860 - 0.1% higher. Falling numbers in the lone parent and pensioner (those aged 60 or over) statistical groups has offset the rise in the numbers receiving the disability premium.

  • Over the year from May 1998 to May 1999 the average amount of Income Support received increased by £3.15 to £62.38. The average for people aged 60 or over increased by £2.99 to £50.36. These increases reflect the annual April uprating as well as increases for those aged 60 or over under Minimum Income Guarantee

  • A total of 297,520 people were in families dependent on Income Support at May 1999 (17.6% of the population). The social security office with the highest number of claimants was Corporation Street in Belfast (11,520 claimants, 6.9% of the caseload in May 1999).

  • Belfast had the highest level of dependency of all district council areas with 18.9% of people aged 16 or over claiming. It also had the highest proportion of beneficiaries in Northern Ireland (26.2% were either a claimant, partner or dependant of Income Support). Castlereagh district council had both the lowest level of dependency (5.1%) and the lowest level of beneficiaries (6.5%).

  • Income Support premiums which provide extra help to pensioners, disabled, lone parents and carers were paid to 93.7% of Income Support claimants (156,360) at May 1999. The average number of premiums per claimant was 1.54, compared to 1.3 premiums in Great Britain. Premiums linked to a disability have shown the largest increases from 1995 both in Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

  • Compared to regions in Great Britain, claimants in Northern Ireland were likely to have spent the longest time on benefit at May1999 (72.9% had a claim with a duration of 2 years or more compared with 68.7% in Great Britain).

  • Northern Ireland had both the highest proportion of claimants and beneficiaries of any UK region at May 1999. 11.7% of the population in Great Britain were beneficiaries of IS at May 1999, compared to 17.6% of the population in Northern Ireland.

  • Further Northern Northern Ireland statistics can be found on the following website: www.dhssni.gov.uk.htm

  • Statistics about Social Security Benefits in Great Britain can be obtained at: www.dss.gov.uk/asd/contacts.htm