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Benefits Contact Numbers: UC, PIP, ESA, Child Benefit & More

Data last checked on .

Checked against GOV.UK, the Department for Communities (NI), mygov.scot and one other official source. Edited by Steven Butler.

All the pages checked

Which number you call depends on the benefit, and several benefits 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. Most of the numbers below are freephone 0800 or 0808 numbers. The Child Benefit line is a 0300 number, which is not freephone.

Key points
  • ✓Universal Credit helpline: 0800 328 5644 (Northern Ireland: 0800 012 1331)
  • ✓PIP new claims: 0800 917 2222. PIP enquiry line (existing claims): 0800 121 4433
  • ✓ESA new claim: 0800 055 6688. Existing claim: 0800 169 0310 (Northern Ireland: 0800 587 1377)
  • ✓Child Benefit helpline: 0300 200 3100
  • ✓Pension Credit: 0800 99 1234 to claim, but 0800 731 0469 to report a change once you are getting it
  • ✓Attendance Allowance: 0800 731 0122 in England and Wales; Scotland uses Pension Age Disability Payment instead (0800 182 2222)
  • ✓Social Security Scotland (Adult Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment and other Scottish benefits): 0800 182 2222, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm

Universal Credit

Where you liveNumberHours
England, Wales and ScotlandUniversal Credit helpline: 0800 328 5644Mon to Fri, 8am to 6pm
Northern IrelandUniversal Credit Service Centre, 0800 012 1331Mon 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.

PIP (Personal Independence Payment)

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 needNumberHours
ESA new claim (Jobcentre Plus new claims helpline)0800 055 6688Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm
ESA existing claim (shared with JSA and Incapacity Benefit)0800 169 0310Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm
Northern Ireland (Department for Communities ESA Centre)0800 587 1377Mon 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 enquiries go to HMRC rather than DWP, and the line is a 0300 number rather than a freephone 0800 number. See our Child Benefit guide.

Pension Credit

SituationNumber
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 04690800 731 0469
Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Pension Centre, Pension Credit Application Line 0808 100 6165, general enquiries 0800 587 08920808 100 6165
Pension Credit has two different numbers depending on the stage. GOV.UK gives the Pension Credit claim line for a new claim. Once you are getting Pension Credit, it gives the Pension Service helpline for reporting a change. GOV.UK also gives the Pension Service helpline for questions about State Pension.

Attendance Allowance

Where you liveNumberHours
Attendance Allowance helpline (England and Wales)0800 731 0122Mon to Fri, 8am to 6pm
Scotland (Pension Age Disability Payment instead of Attendance Allowance): Social Security Scotland, 0800 182 22220800 182 2222Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm
Northern Ireland: Department for Communities Disability and Carers Service, 0800 587 09120800 587 0912Mon to Fri, 9am to 4pm

See our Attendance Allowance guide for rates, eligibility and how the Scotland and Northern Ireland versions work.

Scotland: Social Security Scotland

In Scotland, Adult Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment and Carer Support Payment are run by Social Security Scotland, not DWP. Social Security Scotland has one contact line for all of them.

How to get in touchDetailsHours
Freephone0800 182 2222Mon to Fri, 8am to 5pm, except bank holidays
Webchat, on mygov.scotGeneral enquiries, checking progress, telling them something has changedMon to Fri, 8am to 5pm, except bank holidays
PostSocial Security Scotland, General Enquiries, PO Box 10301, Dundee, DD1 9FYn/a
From outside the UK+44 (0)1382 931 000, not free, but you can ask them to call you backNot stated

If you cannot call 0800 numbers from your mobile, you can call free from any payphone or landline. British Sign Language users can use Contact Scotland BSL to contact Social Security Scotland by video call. Social Security Scotland can answer your questions quicker if you have your National Insurance number to hand, and it will never ask for your bank details through webchat.

Sending documents

You can send documents online or by post. Online, upload a photo, screenshot or scan of your documents. Do not upload application forms online. Return application forms in the pre-paid envelope, or the application may be delayed. By post, send photocopies only. There is a different address for each benefit, on your letters from Social Security Scotland and on the mygov.scot page for the benefit. Contact Social Security Scotland if you would like a pre-paid envelope. You cannot send supporting information for Adult Disability Payment or Pension Age Disability Payment by email.

Spotting a fake text or email

  • Texts from Social Security Scotland are always sent from 'Scot Gov', and emails always come from social.security.scotland@notifications.service.gov.uk
  • It will never ask you to reply to a text or email
  • It will only ever direct you to pages that start with https://www.mygov.scot/
  • It will only ever give you one phone number in a text or email, 0800 182 2222
  • It will never phone you to take a payment. If you are not sure it is them calling, end the call and ring 0800 182 2222
  • Report a suspicious text to Action Fraud by forwarding it for free to 7726

See our guides to Adult Disability Payment and Pension Age Disability Payment.

Housing Benefit: there is no single number

Housing Benefit has no single DWP number: your own council pays it, and in Northern Ireland the Northern Ireland Housing Executive runs it. New claims are now only possible if you've reached State Pension age, or you're in supported, sheltered or temporary housing. If you are not eligible, you can apply for 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

GOV.UK lists Relay UK for the Universal Credit, PIP, ESA, Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance and Child Benefit lines above: dial 18001 followed by the number you need, for example 18001 then 0800 328 5644 for Universal Credit. For Social Security Scotland, British Sign Language users can use Contact Scotland BSL to call by video.

For PIP, GOV.UK says you can ask someone else to call on your behalf, and you will need to be with them when they call.

Where to go next

Benefits
Universal Credit Contact Numbers
The full Universal Credit helpline guide: hours, Relay UK and what to have ready.
PIP Contact Numbers
Every PIP phone number, opening hours, Relay UK and postal addresses.
Universal Credit
Eligibility, rates and how to claim.
PIP
Personal Independence Payment: rates, points and assessments.

Frequently asked questions

What is the DWP contact number?

The number depends on the benefit. 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. Child Benefit enquiries go to HMRC, not DWP. 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. 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.

What is the Social Security Scotland phone number?

Phone Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222, Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm, except bank holidays. It covers Adult Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment and the other Scottish benefits. From outside the UK, call +44 (0)1382 931 000, which is not free, but you can ask them to call you back.

How do I upload documents to Social Security Scotland?

Send a photo, screenshot or scan of your documents online through the Upload your documents page on mygov.scot, or send photocopies by post. Do not upload application forms online: return them in the pre-paid envelope. You cannot send supporting information by email.

Is there one number for all DWP benefits?

No. GOV.UK gives a separate helpline for each benefit, and in Northern Ireland the Department for Communities gives its own numbers. Child Benefit enquiries go to 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.

Related guides

ESA
Employment and Support Allowance: rates and the Work Capability Assessment.
Child Benefit
Rates, the High Income Charge, and how to claim.
Attendance Allowance
Rates and eligibility for help with personal care costs.
Attendance Allowance Claim Form (AA1)
How to get the AA1 form and where to post it.
State Pension
How much you get and when you can claim.
Pension Credit
Rates, eligibility and how to claim, with the Pension Credit claim line and helpline.
Cold Weather Payment
Who to contact if you think you missed a Cold Weather Payment.
All Benefits
Every benefit guide in one place.
Adult Disability Payment (Scotland)
The Scottish benefit that replaced PIP, run by Social Security Scotland.
Pension Age Disability Payment (Scotland)
The Scottish benefit that replaced Attendance Allowance.

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Know Your Rights UK. "Benefits Contact Numbers: UC, PIP, ESA, Child Benefit & More." Know Your Rights UK, https://www.knowyourrightsuk.com/benefits/dwp-contact-numbers