This page contains information on COVID-19 assistance available for individuals and businesses.
To help support people who live in Northern Ireland during the COVID-19 pandemic the Department for Communities has put in place additional short term financial support for living expenses
Telephone: 0800 587 2750
This service provides an individual benefit, service and support check
Telephone: 0800 232 1271
A Freephone Helpline has been established to assist those in vulnerable groups to access information, advice and support in relation to COVID-19
The Newly Self-Employed Support Scheme will offer an initial one-off taxable grant of £3,500 to newly self-employed individuals (sole traders and those in partnerships) that meet certain criteria
Financial incentive available to all employers to support the recruitment of new apprentices
Business rates exemption for full financial year of 2020-21 for sectors hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic
Government-backed loans for UK-based small and medium-sized businesses ranging from between £2,000 and £50,000. The scheme is open to applications until 31 January 2021
Grants to self-employed individuals or members of a partnership whose businesses have been impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Self Assessment payment on account, that is ordinarily due to be paid to HMRC by 31 July 2020 may be deferred until January 2021
The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme will repay employers the Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) paid to current or former employees
People in extreme need can get £50 electric / £49 gas top up / 300 litres of oil through this scheme
The Department has put in place a one-off heating payment for those people who are in receipt of Pension Credit, or are in receipt of certain disability benefits (at the higher rates) in recognition of additional costs arising from the Covid-19 pandemic. It is important, if you think you are eligible but have not received your payment by 15 February 2021, that you report this before 30 April 2021
A non-repayable Discretionary Support self-isolation grant may be available to a person or any member of their immediate family who has either been diagnosed with COVID-19 or told to self-isolate in accordance with the latest guidance published by the Regional Agency for Public Health and Social Well-being
A Universal Credit Contingency Fund payment is a non-repayable grant. It may be available to people normally within the first Universal Credit assessment period following a new application to Universal Credit and who are continuing to experience financial difficulties
The Warm, Well and Connected (WWC) programme can assist you reach out to communities to help people who have been acutely affected by COVID 19
You can apply for Rate Rebate if you're already getting Universal Credit and you're:
- a homeowner living in your own property
- a tenant living in social housing owned by the Housing Executive
- a tenant living in social housing owned by a housing association
- a tenant living in private rented housing