Supplementary Payment
Welfare supplementary payment if you're affected by the benefit cap.
Supplementary Payment
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible for Supplementary Payment if you are affected by the benefit cap and you:
- Live in Northern Ireland
- Are responsible for a child or qualifying young person who lives with you
In February 2022, the rules were changed to increase the number of people entitled to Welfare Supplementary Payment. Previously, you could only get it if you were already getting a benefit in 2016. This rule has been changed so you can get Welfare Supplementary Payment whenever your claim for benefit started.
If you are affected by the benefit cap and you are not eligible for Supplementary Payment, read our Benefit Cap guide to check your options.
What can I get?
When you are affected by the Benefit Cap, your Housing Benefit is reduced or Universal Credit. Supplementary Payment covers the reduction so that you receive your full entitlement.
If you are entitled to Supplementary Payment, you will receive it until any of your benefit claims stop.
Welfare supplementary payment if you're affected by the bedroom tax
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible for a Welfare Supplementary Payment if you live in Northern Ireland and are affected by the bedroom tax. This will only apply if you live in Housing Executive or housing association property.
What can I get?
You will get a payment to cover the amount that is being deducted from your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit because of the bedroom tax
Welfare supplementary payment if you're affected by the replacement of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) by Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Am I eligible?
You may be eligible for a welfare supplementary payment if you live in Northern Ireland and
- were getting DLA as an adult claimant
- on transfer to PIP
- were refused and appealed; or
- were awarded PIP at a lower amount than you used to receive DLA; or
- were refused PIP, but awarded at least four points on either the daily living or the mobility component, and suffer physical or psychological problems as a result of a violent incident in connection with the affairs of Northern Ireland
You may also be eligible for a Welfare Supplementary Payment if you were getting Carer's Allowance for caring for someone who, on transfer from DLA to PIP, was not awarded PIP.
What can I get?
If you are receiving a payment while you appeal a PIP refusal, you will receive 100% of your previous DLA award while you wait for the appeal decision.
If you are receiving a payment because your PIP is lower than your DLA was, you should receive 75% of the difference for one year.
If you are receiving a payment because you suffered injury in connection with the affairs or Northern Ireland, you should receive an amount equivalent to the standard rate of the daily living component of PIP, if you received four points on the daily living component activities. Or if you did not receive four points on the daily living component activities but did receive four points on the mobility component activities, an amount equivalent to the standard rate of the mobility component on PIP. You should receive payment for one year.
How do I apply?
You don’t need to apply for Supplementary Payment. You can find out more about Supplementary Payment on the NI Direct website.
If you have any problems with Supplementary Payment, you should seek advice. You can use our Find an Advisor tool to find a benefits adviser near to you.
Updated: February 2022