The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is the UK government department responsible for welfare, pensions and child maintenance policy. It administers benefits including Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, State Pension and Jobseeker's Allowance through its network of Jobcentre Plus offices and contact centres. This guide covers the main ways to contact the DWP for different types of enquiry.
Main DWP Contact Numbers
The DWP operates separate helplines for different benefits. Using the correct number for your specific benefit will get you to the right team faster.
- Universal Credit: 0800 328 5644 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
- New Benefit Claims: 0800 055 6688 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
- Jobseeker's Allowance and ESA (existing claims): 0800 169 0190 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP): 0800 121 4433 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm)
- State Pension: 0800 731 0469 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
- Pension Credit: 0800 99 1234 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
- Carer's Allowance: 0800 731 0297 (Mon-Thu 8:30am-5pm, Fri 8:30am-4:30pm)
- Child Maintenance Service: 0800 171 2345 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm, Sat 9am-4pm)
- Social Fund and Budgeting Loans: 0800 169 0140 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
- Maternity Allowance and Bereavement Benefits: 0800 169 0283 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
- Tax Credits (HMRC): 0345 300 3900 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
- Welsh Language Helpline: 0800 169 0207 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
- Textphone (hearing or speech impairments): 0800 169 0314
All 0800 numbers are free to call from UK landlines and mobile phones. The 0345 Tax Credits number is charged at the standard rate and is included in most mobile phone contract allowances.
What to Have Ready Before You Call
Having the right information to hand before you call will help the adviser verify your identity quickly and reduce the time spent on the call. You will generally need your National Insurance number, your date of birth, your current address and postcode, and any reference numbers from recent DWP letters. For benefit-specific queries it also helps to have relevant dates — for example the date your circumstances changed or the date a payment was expected.
Contacting DWP Online
The DWP does not have a general public email address. Most online contact with the DWP is handled through the Universal Credit online account for Universal Credit claimants, or through specific online services for other benefits.
Universal Credit online account — available 24 hours a day at gov.uk/sign-in-universal-credit. Use this to report changes in circumstances, check payment dates, message your work coach, upload documents, request advance payments and manage your appointments. For most Universal Credit claimants this is the fastest and most convenient way to deal with routine queries without waiting on the phone.
PIP online — you can check your PIP claim details and report some changes online through your Personal Independence Payment account at gov.uk/pip.
State Pension forecast — check your State Pension forecast online at gov.uk/check-state-pension without needing to call.
Contacting DWP by Post
For formal correspondence including mandatory reconsiderations, appeals and documents that need to be submitted in writing, send letters by recorded delivery and keep copies. Always include your full name, National Insurance number, date of birth and current address in any written correspondence.
The postal address for Universal Credit is:
Universal Credit
PO Box 10
Wolverhampton
WV98 2AB
For other benefits, write to the address shown on your most recent correspondence from that benefit. For PIP, write to the address on your most recent PIP decision letter.
Visiting a Jobcentre Plus Office
For face-to-face support with employment and benefit services, contact your nearest Jobcentre Plus office. Most services require a pre-booked appointment — call 0800 169 0190 or arrange an appointment through your Universal Credit online journal. Jobcentre Plus offices are open Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm with a later opening at 10:00am on Wednesdays.
Use our Jobcentre Plus office directory to find your nearest office with address, opening hours and local telephone number.
Mandatory Reconsiderations and Appeals
If you disagree with a DWP benefit decision you have the right to request a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the decision date. Contact the DWP on the number for your specific benefit and ask for a mandatory reconsideration, explaining why you think the decision is wrong. If you remain unhappy after the mandatory reconsideration, you can appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal — an independent body separate from the DWP.
Citizens Advice can help you with mandatory reconsiderations and appeals — call 0800 144 8848 in England or 0800 250 4259 in Wales for free independent advice.
Making a Complaint About the DWP
If you have received poor service from the DWP or a Jobcentre Plus office, raise the matter first with your work coach or the local office manager. If that does not resolve the issue, make a formal complaint by calling 0800 169 0190. If you are still dissatisfied after receiving a formal response, you can contact the Independent Case Examiner on 0800 343 5000. As a final step, your MP can refer your case to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.
Reporting Benefit Fraud
To report suspected benefit fraud anonymously contact the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440. This line is open 24 hours a day. You can also report fraud online at gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud.
Scotland — Social Security Scotland
In Scotland, several benefits have been devolved to the Scottish Government and are administered by Social Security Scotland rather than the DWP. These include Adult Disability Payment (replacing PIP), Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grant, Young Carer Grant and Funeral Support Payment. Contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm) or visit socialsecurity.gov.scot.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, benefit services are delivered by the Department for Communities (DfC) rather than the DWP. Contact the DfC on 0800 022 4250 or visit your nearest Jobs and Benefits office.
Independent Advice and Support
If you need independent advice about your benefits or help dealing with the DWP, the following organisations provide free support.
- Citizens Advice England: 0800 144 8848
- Citizens Advice Wales: 0800 250 4259
- Turn2Us (benefits calculator and grants finder): turn2us.org.uk
- Disability Rights UK: disabilityrightsuk.org
- StepChange (free debt advice): 0800 138 1111
Please note: This website is independently maintained and is not affiliated with the Department for Work and Pensions or GOV.UK. Contact numbers are accurate as of June 2026 but may change. Always verify with GOV.UK before acting on this information.
