There have been a number of changes to the way people claim can make a claim for Universal Credit, Employment & Support Allowance or Jobseekers Allowance.

The Job Centres have asked that you DO NOT attend your local Jobcentre. People are being urged to use online services before turning to the telephone for help with their benefit claim.

To make a claim to Universal Credit please see www.gov.uk

Whilst Jobcentres remain open they may have significantly reduced staffing and their priority will be to support people who are not able to use telephone and online services, and to process benefit payments.

People already receiving benefits do not have to attend any Jobcentre appointments for at least 3 months, starting from Thursday 19 March 2020. People will continue to receive their benefits as normal but all requirements to attend the Jobcentre in person are suspended.

 From 25th March, all Job Centres will now be closed to members of the public, other than the most vulnerable cases.

Customers who require a Voucher for the ‘Payment Exception Service’ will be allowed in the Jobcentre by exception.

If you need to contact your local Job Centre you can phone them 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.

If you have a question about your Universal Credit, please send a message via your Online Journal.

In case of emergency:

Call the Jobseekers Allowance/Income Support Benefit Enquiries on 0800 169 0310

Call Citizens Advice on 0300 330 9074

The latest advice will always be published on the government/Universal Credit website:

Click here to see advice on Coronavirus support for employees, benefit claimants and businesses

Click here to see advice on Coronavirus and claiming benefits