22 February 2008 - Northern Ireland client group analysis

This is the latest in the series of statistical reports and contains information on people of working age, their children and people of pensionable age receiving at least one key benefit at February 2004 to May 2007.

Some of the main findings include:

• The proportion of the working age population claiming at least one key benefit was 19.8% (213.4 thousand) in Northern Ireland compared to 13.0% (4,754.1 thousand) in Great Britain in May 2007.
• People of working age claiming sickness and/or disability benefits made up 72% of the overall total in May 2007. Lone parents and unemployed claimants made up 12% and 11% respectively of the overall total.
• At May 2007, there were 65,920 families with children and/or young dependants claiming at least one key benefit.
• At May 2007, 70% of families had been on benefit for at least two years.
• 127,200 children were living in families claiming a key benefit at May 2007. 65% of these children were in families claiming Income Support.
• At May 2007, 64,740 children aged under 16 were living in families where the benefit claimant was single compared to 42,800 children were the claimant had a partner.
• The percentage of children living in families claiming at least one key benefit varied from 43% in Strabane District Council to 16% in Ballymena District Council.
• 280,124 (99%) people over state pension age were claiming at least one key benefit in February 2007.
• People over state pension age receiving Retirement Pension but not Pension Credit/Income Support made up 68% of the overall total in February 2007. The second largest group was Retirement Pension plus Pension Credit/Income Support claimants who made up 27% of the overall total.

Notes to Editors:

1. The key benefits for persons of working age and their children are Jobseeker’s Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Disability Living Allowance and Income Support. (Pension Credit which replaced Income Support for persons aged 60 and over in October 2003, is also included for males aged 60 – 64).
2. The key benefits for persons of pensionable age are Attendance Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Pension Credit, Retirement Pension and Widow’s Benefit. Pension Credit replaced Income Support for persons aged 60 and over, from October 2003.
3. These analyses are based on data collected through the administration of the individual key benefits, which are available to persons of working age and persons over state pension age with the main exception of Bereavement Benefits and Housing Benefit.
4. Previous publications are on the Department for Social Development website. Bibliographic details are ISSN 1476-038X (Online).
5. Further enquires should be addressed to: Social Welfare Statistics & Consultancy Branch, James House, 2 – 4 Cromac Avenue, Gasworks Business Park, Ormeau Road, Belfast, BT7 2JA , Tel. 02890 819941; Fax 819961; scb@dsdni.gov.uk
6. News Media enquiries to DSD Press Office tel. 028 9082 9496. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Office via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.