Most Jobcentre Plus offices across England, Scotland and Wales are open Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm. Wednesday is an exception — most offices open later at 10:00am. All offices are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays. Jobs and Benefits offices in Northern Ireland follow slightly different hours with a later Thursday opening of 10:00am.
Standard DWP Jobcentre Plus Opening Hours
| Day | Opening Time | Closing Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 9:00am | 5:00pm |
| Tuesday | 9:00am | 5:00pm |
| Wednesday | 10:00am (later opening) | 5:00pm |
| Thursday | 9:00am | 5:00pm |
| Friday | 9:00am | 5:00pm |
| Saturday | Closed | |
| Sunday | Closed | |
Wednesday opening: Most Jobcentre Plus offices open at 10:00am on Wednesdays rather than the usual 9:00am. If you are planning a Wednesday visit, arrive no earlier than 10:00am. Some smaller and outreach offices may have different hours — always call ahead to confirm.
Northern Ireland Jobs and Benefits Offices
Jobs and Benefits offices in Northern Ireland are administered by the Department for Communities (DfC) rather than the DWP and follow slightly different opening hours. The later opening day in Northern Ireland is Thursday at 10:00am, not Wednesday. All other days follow the standard 9:00am to 5:00pm pattern.
DWP Phone Line Opening Hours
DWP telephone helplines are open Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 6:00pm. The main numbers are listed below.
- New Benefit Claims: 0800 055 6688
- Universal Credit: 0800 328 5644
- Jobseeker's Allowance and ESA: 0800 169 0190
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP): 0800 121 4433 (Mon-Fri 8am-5pm)
- Pension Credit: 0800 99 1234
- Carer's Allowance: 0800 731 0297 (Mon-Thu 8:30am-5pm, Fri 8:30am-4:30pm)
- Social Fund: 0800 169 0140
- Welsh Language Helpline: 0800 169 0207
- Textphone: 0800 169 0314
All 0800 numbers are free to call from landlines and mobile phones.
Bank Holidays 2026 — Jobcentre Closures
All Jobcentre Plus offices are closed on bank holidays. The 2026 bank holidays for England and Wales are as follows.
- New Year's Day: Thursday 1 January
- Good Friday: Friday 3 April
- Easter Monday: Monday 6 April
- Early May Bank Holiday: Monday 4 May
- Spring Bank Holiday: Monday 25 May
- Summer Bank Holiday: Monday 31 August
- Christmas Day: Friday 25 December
- Boxing Day: Monday 28 December
Scotland observes additional public holidays including 2 January and St Andrew's Day on 30 November. Northern Ireland observes St Patrick's Day on 17 March and the Battle of the Boyne on 13 July. Check GOV.UK bank holidays for the full list by region.
Do Jobcentres Open Late or at Weekends?
No Jobcentre Plus office offers evening or weekend opening. All offices close at 5:00pm Monday to Friday and are closed on Saturdays and Sundays. If you need to access DWP services outside office hours, most Universal Credit services are available 24 hours a day through your Universal Credit online account.
Appointments and Walk-In Visits
Most Jobcentre Plus services now require an appointment booked in advance. Work coach meetings, new claim interviews and benefits assessments all require appointments, which are arranged through your Universal Credit online journal or by calling 0800 169 0190. Walk-in access for basic queries and job search computer terminals is available at some offices but is increasingly limited — always call ahead before visiting without an appointment.
If you need to cancel or rearrange an appointment, contact the office as soon as possible — ideally at least 24 hours in advance. Missing a mandatory work coach appointment without good reason can result in a Universal Credit sanction which may reduce your payments.
What If You Cannot Attend in Person?
Telephone and video appointments are available as alternatives to face-to-face visits for many types of appointment. Ask your work coach when booking if a telephone or video appointment is suitable for your circumstances. This can be particularly useful for claimants in rural areas, those with mobility difficulties or people with health conditions that make travelling difficult.
Find Your Nearest Jobcentre Plus
Opening hours can vary at individual offices, particularly smaller outreach offices which may have reduced days or hours. Use our Jobcentre Plus office directory to find your nearest office with its specific address, opening hours, telephone number and accessibility information.
Please note: This website is independently maintained and is not affiliated with the Department for Work and Pensions or GOV.UK. Opening hours are accurate for the majority of offices as of June 2026 but individual offices may vary. Always verify with your local office before travelling.
