Benefits Contact Numbers: Every DWP Helpline in One Place
Data last checked on .
There is no single 'DWP contact number': each benefit has its own line, and several also have a separate number for Northern Ireland, run by the Department for Communities rather than DWP. This page brings together the official phone numbers for Universal Credit, PIP, ESA, Child Benefit, Pension Credit and Attendance Allowance, so you can find the right one first time. All the numbers below are freephone 0800, 0808 or 0300 numbers, free to call from landlines and mobiles.
✓Child Benefit helpline: 0300 200 3100, the same number across the whole UK
✓Pension Credit: 0800 99 1234 to claim, but 0800 731 0469 once you're already getting it, the same line State Pension uses
✓Attendance Allowance: 0800 731 0122 in England and Wales; Scotland uses Pension Age Disability Payment instead (0800 182 2222)
Universal Credit
Where you live
Number
Hours
England, Wales and Scotland
Universal Credit helpline: 0800 328 5644
Mon to Fri, 8am to 6pm
Northern Ireland
Universal Credit Service Centre, 0800 012 1331
Mon to Fri, 9am to 4pm
It's the same number for a new claim and an existing one, and calls are free. For the full detail, Relay UK, and what to have ready before you call, see our Universal Credit contact numbers guide.
Challenging a decision? Keep your case in order
Keep your deadline, your evidence and every call and letter together in the free Claim Companion workspace. Log your good and bad days as they happen, so your record is ready when you need it.
PIP new claims (England and Wales): 0800 917 2222. PIP enquiry line (existing claims): 0800 121 4433.
PIP has its own full set of numbers, including Northern Ireland, Relay UK and postal addresses. See PIP contact numbers for the complete list.
ESA (Employment and Support Allowance)
What you need
Number
Hours
ESA new claim (Jobcentre Plus new claims helpline)
0800 055 6688
Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm
ESA existing claim (shared with JSA and Incapacity Benefit)
0800 169 0310
Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm
Northern Ireland (Department for Communities ESA Centre)
0800 587 1377
Mon to Fri, 9am to 4pm
The same 0800 055 6688 number also takes new claims for New Style JSA. See our ESA guide for eligibility, rates and the Work Capability Assessment.
Child Benefit
Child Benefit helpline: 0300 200 3100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, closed on bank holidays. Outside UK: +44 161 210 3086.
Child Benefit is run by HMRC, not DWP, which is why its number has a different format (0300, not 0800) and is the same across every UK nation, including Northern Ireland. See our Child Benefit guide.
Pension Credit
Situation
Number
Pension Credit new claim (Pension Credit claim line)
0800 99 1234
Pension Credit, once you're getting it (report a change): Pension Service helpline, 0800 731 0469 (the same number as State Pension)
0800 731 0469
Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Pension Centre, Pension Credit Application Line 0808 100 6165, general enquiries 0800 587 0892
0808 100 6165
Pension Credit has two different numbers depending on the stage. GOV.UK gives the Pension Credit claim line for a new claim, but once you're already getting Pension Credit, changes are reported to the Pension Service helpline instead, the same 0800 731 0469 line State Pension claimants call. Calling the claim line about an existing award will get you redirected.
Attendance Allowance
Where you live
Number
Hours
Attendance Allowance helpline (England and Wales)
0800 731 0122
Mon to Fri, 8am to 6pm
Scotland (Pension Age Disability Payment instead of Attendance Allowance): Social Security Scotland, 0800 182 2222
0800 182 2222
Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm
Northern Ireland: Department for Communities Disability and Carers Service, 0800 587 0912
0800 587 0912
Mon to Fri, 9am to 4pm
See our Attendance Allowance guide for rates, eligibility and how the Scotland and Northern Ireland versions work.
Housing Benefit: there is no single number
Housing Benefit has no single DWP number: in England, Wales and Scotland it's run by your own council, and in Northern Ireland by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive. New claims are now only possible if you've reached State Pension age, or you're in supported, sheltered or temporary housing, everyone else claims the housing costs element of Universal Credit instead. Search "[your council] Housing Benefit" or check a letter or bill for the right number.
If you cannot hear or speak on the phone
Every line above supports Relay UK: dial 18001 followed by the number you need, for example 18001 then 0800 328 5644 for Universal Credit. Most also offer a British Sign Language video relay service, linked from the relevant GOV.UK or nidirect page.
✓Yes: A friend or family member can call on your behalf for most of these lines, but you'll usually need to be with them when they call
✓Yes: Textphone and video relay details are listed on each benefit's own GOV.UK 'how to claim' page
✓Yes: Someone can also collect a claim form for you from a local Jobcentre Plus office (or Jobs & Benefits office in Northern Ireland)
Keep track of your case
The guides on this site are free and always will be. If your problem will take weeks or months, the Claim Companion is a free workspace to keep your deadline, your evidence and every call and letter together.
A case that runs on
Claim Companion
Freeno payment and no card
For something that will take weeks or months: a benefits claim or appeal, an eviction, a dispute at work. A free workspace that keeps your deadline, your evidence and every call and letter in one place.
We are not a law firm and this is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DWP contact number?
There isn't one central DWP number: each benefit has its own line. Universal Credit is 0800 328 5644, PIP is 0800 917 2222 for new claims or 0800 121 4433 for existing claims, ESA is 0800 055 6688 for new claims or 0800 169 0310 for existing claims, Pension Credit is 0800 99 1234 to claim, and Attendance Allowance is 0800 731 0122. All are free to call.
What is the Universal Credit contact number?
The Universal Credit helpline is 0800 328 5644, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, for both a new claim and an existing one. In Northern Ireland, call the Universal Credit Service Centre on 0800 012 1331 instead. See our full Universal Credit contact numbers guide for Relay UK details and what to have ready.
What is the Child Benefit contact number?
The Child Benefit helpline is 0300 200 3100, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, closed on bank holidays. It's run by HMRC, not DWP, and the number is the same everywhere in the UK, including Northern Ireland. From outside the UK, call +44 161 210 3086.
What is the Pension Credit contact number?
To apply for Pension Credit, call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234. If you're already getting Pension Credit and need to report a change, call the Pension Service helpline on 0800 731 0469 instead, the same number State Pension claimants use. In Northern Ireland, the Northern Ireland Pension Centre's Pension Credit Application Line is 0808 100 6165.
What is the ESA contact number?
To start a new claim for New Style ESA, call the Jobcentre Plus new claims helpline on 0800 055 6688. For an existing claim, call 0800 169 0310, the same line used for JSA and Incapacity Benefit. In Northern Ireland, contact the Department for Communities ESA Centre on 0800 587 1377.
Is there one number for all DWP benefits?
No. Each benefit has its own helpline, and DWP-run benefits in Northern Ireland are handled separately by the Department for Communities on different numbers again. Child Benefit is a separate case again, run UK-wide by HMRC on 0300 200 3100.
What is the Attendance Allowance contact number?
In England and Wales, the Attendance Allowance helpline is 0800 731 0122, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. In Scotland, Attendance Allowance has been replaced by Pension Age Disability Payment: call Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. In Northern Ireland, call the Department for Communities Disability and Carers Service on 0800 587 0912.
Know Your Rights UK. "Benefits Contact Numbers: Every DWP Helpline in One Place." Know Your Rights UK, https://www.knowyourrightsuk.com/benefits/contact-numbers