THOUSANDS OF benefit claimants have been underpaid by an average of £3,000, figures obtained by the SDLP show.
Statistics from the Department for Communities show around 8,000 claimants in Northern Ireland have been underpaid due to administrative errors.
SDLP MLA Nichola Mallon said those affected were Employment and Support Allowance claimants.
"There is no question that this error has forced people further into poverty," she said.
"The Department for Communities must set out clearly how and when those affected will be paid what they are owed. The lives of vulnerable claimants are tough enough without being denied the support they are entitled to for seven years."
