Government and public services

Department for Communities NI phone numbers

Edited by Richard BarkerChecked 14 October 2026

Department for Communities NI publishes 5 numbers for you to call on its own website. We list each one with the page it is on (4 pages in all), a short quote from that page and the date we checked it.

Contact Department for Communities NI How to check a call

Numbers to call Department for Communities NI

What each line is for, as Department for Communities NI describes it, with opening hours where it gives them.

0800 012 1331
You call them on this number
Universal Credit enquiries in Northern Ireland
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm, excluding public holidays
Source: “sign in to your Universal Credit account - GOV.UK freephone: 0800 012 1331” (opens in a new tab). Checked 14 October 2026.
0800 012 1573
You call them on this number
New claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm, excluding public holidays
Source: “For new claims to Personal Independence Payment (PIP): 0800 012 1573” (opens in a new tab). Checked 14 October 2026.
0800 587 0932
You call them on this number
Existing PIP claims and enquiries
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm, excluding public holidays
Source: “For existing claims and enquiries: 0800 587 0932” (opens in a new tab). Checked 14 October 2026.
0800 232 1271
You call them on this number
Make the Call: help finding benefits and support
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, excluding public holidays
Source: “Telephone: 0800 232 1271 Or text ADVICE to 079 8440 5248” (opens in a new tab). Checked 14 October 2026.
0800 587 1377
You call them on this number
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) centre, incoming calls only
Source: “ESA will never call you from the number 0800 587 1377.” (opens in a new tab). Checked 14 October 2026.

How scams that copy government and public services work

HMRC lists the versions it sees most: an automated call saying HMRC is filing a lawsuit against you and asking you to press 1, calls about "National Insurance number fraud", and calls or texts offering a tax refund in return for bank or card details.

UK Visas and Immigration says criminals call people, often students, about a "serious problem" with their visa and demand money quickly by money transfer.

This could still be a scam call

Criminals can make their number look like a genuine one (this is called spoofing). If someone calls from this number and asks for money, bank details, a code or passwords, hang up. Then call Department for Communities NI back on a number you've found yourself, such as the one on their own website or on a letter or bill from them.

Safe ways to check

Department for Communities NI's own contact page (opens in a new tab): Where this number is published.
Report Fraud (opens in a new tab): Report fraud and cyber crime in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland, call Police Scotland on 101.
Forward scam texts to 7726 (opens in a new tab): It is free, and reports the message to your mobile provider.
How number spoofing works: Why a genuine number on your screen does not prove who is calling.

Questions about Department for Communities NI’s numbers

What numbers can I call Department for Communities NI on?

Department for Communities NI publishes 5 numbers for the public to call. They include: 0800 012 1331 (Universal Credit enquiries in Northern Ireland); 0800 012 1573 (New claims for Personal Independence Payment (PIP)); 0800 587 0932 (Existing PIP claims and enquiries). Check the source page for each one before you call, as numbers and opening hours change.

Does Department for Communities NI publish a number on its own website that is not listed here? Suggest a number for Department for Communities NI.

Sources and checks

This page relies on:

Checked on 14 October 2026. Read how we build the directory. How we check our information. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will put it right.