Archive Website of the UK government

Jobcentre Plus benefits

Make a claim for Jobseeker's Allowance online

You can claim Jobseeker's Allowance online:

• Claim Jobseeker's Allowance online

If you need to make a claim for benefit call 0800 055 6688.

If you find it hard to speak or hear clearly a textphone is available on 0800 023 4888.

Lines are open from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm, Monday to Friday (lines are normally less busy before 9.00 am).

Benefit Advice

Get benefit advice, for you/your family or for someone else. Simply answer questions anonymously online about your savings, income and outgoings.

Find out more about benefits and tax credits online.

• Benefits Adviser service

Changes in your circumstances

You must tell Jobcentre Plus as soon as possible about any changes in your circumstances, as it may affect your benefit.

• Report a change in your circumstances to Jobcentre Plus Opens new window

Use the following links if you have a question about your benefit claim, or want to know more about benefits and financial support.

• If you have a question about your benefit claim Opens new window

• Information about benefits and financial support (money, tax and benefits section)

Loans and grants

Crisis Loans

If you need help due to an emergency or disaster, you may be able to get a Crisis Loan.

• Information on Crisis Loans (money, tax and benefits section)

Community Care Grant

You may be able to get a Community Care Grant if you need help because you’re:

• homeless
• leaving prison
• caring for someone
• facing family breakdown
  

• Information on Community Care Grants (money, tax and benefits section)

Budgeting Loans

If you need help to pay for things like furniture, clothes and travel, you may be able to get a Budgeting Loan.

• Information on Budgeting Loans (money, tax and benefits section)

Cold Weather Payment

If you need help due to cold weather, you may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment.

• Information about Cold Weather Payment (money, tax and benefits section)

Looking for a job

You can search for a job online.

• search for a job Opens new window

You can also search for a job by telephone. To use the Jobcentre Plus phone service call 0845 6060 234. If you find it hard to speak or hear clearly a textphone is available on 0845 6055 255.

Lines are open between 8.00 am and 6.00 pm from Monday to Friday (lines are normally less busy before 9.00 am).

For information on finding work, see the Jobseekers section.

• Help and advice for Jobseekers

• Contact your Jobcentre Plus office for help to find a job Opens new window

National Insurance numbers

If you need a National Insurance number to claim benefits, this will be done when you or your partner claim benefit.

• Applying for a National Insurance number (money, tax and benefits section)

If you have lost or had your National Insurance card stolen, call the National Insurance Registrations Helpline on 0845 915 7006.

Lines are open Monday to Friday 8.00 am to 5.00 pm.

Jobcentre Plus offices

If you need to change or cancel an appointment, call Jobcentre Plus on 0845 604 3719.

If you can't speak or hear clearly, call the textphone on 0845 608 8551.

You can also contact Jobcentre Plus to find out more about a Jobcentre Plus programme or service.

• Contact Jobcentre Plus to find out more about a Jobcentre Plus programme or service Opens new window

Other reasons to contact Jobcentre Plus

You can contact Jobcentre Plus if you have a question not listed here.

• Contact Jobcentre Plus Opens new window

Please read 'Tell Jobcentre Plus what you think' if you have a complaint, comment or suggestion to make to Jobcentre Plus.

• Tell Jobcentre Plus what you think

More useful links

• Help and advice when applying for a job

• Information about Jobcentre Plus programmes and services

• Benefit Integrity Centres (BIC) - benefit claim reviews