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2.4 Opening a bank account
You will normally need a bank account to receive benefit payments or wages. Go to a bank,
a Post Office or a credit union with your identity documents to open a current account and
request a cash card.
2.4.1 If you are unable to open a bank account because you don’t have the necessary
identity documents
Ask the Jobs and Benefits Office to give you a *Simple Payment Card*. Also ask for advice on
other acceptable identity documents.
If you do not have a bank account, the Simple Payment Card allows you to receive benefits
from any PayPoint outlet. To collect a payment you will need the Simple Payment Card and
an original proof of identity document (for example a Biometric Residence Permit) and must
confirm your memorable date (an easy-to-remember date that you agree initially at the Jobs
and Benefits Office). Your nearest Simple Payment PayPoint can be found at
www.paypoint.co.uk/simplepayment/.
2.5 Benefits if you are not working or are working less than 16 hours a week
2.5.1 Jobseeker’s Allowance
This is the main benefit for people who are looking for work.
To claim, you should contact your local Jobs and Benefits Office to obtain a form and to
make an appointment. To claim, you can ask for a form at your local Jobs and Benefits
Office. For information, you can telephone 0800 022 4250.
To qualify, you:
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must not be in full time paid work (claimant 16 hours, partner 24 hours per week);
must generally not be in full time education (there are exceptions to this);
must normally be fit for work, be available for and actively seeking work and have a
current jobseeker’s agreement and ‘sign on’ every fortnight or as required;
must be aged over 16 and under retirement age;
must have a right to reside and live in Northern Ireland. Syrians who arrive initially under
the VPR scheme should normally be considered to have a right to reside in Northern
Ireland for benefit purposes.
2.5.2 Employment and Support Allowance
This is a benefit for people who are unable to work because of ill health.
Employment and Support Allowance is for people who have ‘limited capability for work’ and
who are not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay.
To claim, call the ESA Office telephone claim line, Monday to Friday, 0800 085 6318.
To qualify, you:
must be at least 16 and must be under retirement age – (retirement age, or State
Pension Age, for a woman is currently between 60 and 65 depending on her date of
birth. It is currently 65 for a man);
must get medical evidence from a general practitioner (GP) at the time of claim;
must then undergo a medical assessment called the Work Capability Assessment during
the three-month assessment period and then during regular intervals;