Here’s what you need to know about contacting these services over the festive period
Brits are reminded that certain services will be closed over Christmas. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed its festive opening hours.
In the UK, both Christmas Day (December 25) and Boxing Day (December 26) are bank holidays. As such, many businesses and services will be closed.
Here are all the opening hours for HMRC and the DWP. Note that these services are typically closed on weekends.
HMRC
The phone line you use to contact HMRC will vary depending on the department you need. You can find these on GOV.UK.
Phone line opening times over Christmas and New Year are:
- Wednesday 24 December: 8am to 4pm
- Thursday 25 December to Sunday 28 December: Closed
- Monday 29 December and Tuesday 30 December: 8am to 6pm
- Wednesday 31 December: 8am to 4pm
- Thursday 1 January: Closed
- Friday 2 January: 8am to 6pm
HMRC said: “While we’re away, our online services are available 24/7.”
DWP
This includes JobCentre Plus, pension services, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
JobCentre Plus (England and Wales)
- Wednesday 24 December – Friday 26 December: Offices and phone lines are closed
- Monday 29 December – Wednesday 31 December: Offices are open as usual. Phone lines are open until 4pm
- Thursday 1 January: Offices and phone lines are closed
- Friday 2 January: Offices are open as usual. Phone lines are open until 4pm
JobCentre Plus (Scotland)
- Wednesday 24 December: Offices are open as usual. Phone lines are open until 4pm
- Thursday 25 December – Friday 26 Decembe: Offices and phone lines are closed
- Monday 29 December – Wednesday 31 December: Offices are open as usual. Phone lines are open until 4pm
- Thursday 1 January – Friday 2 January – Offices and phone lines are closed
Pension Service
Helpline opening times over Christmas and New Year:
- Wednesday 24 December: Closed (except in Scotland, open 8am to 5pm)
- Thursday 25 December – Friday 26 December: Closed
- Monday 29 December – Tuesday 30 December: Open 8am to 6pm
- Wednesday 31 January: Open 8am to 5pm
- Thursday 1 January: Closed
- Friday 2 January: Open 8am to 6pm (closed in Scotland)
Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
PIP helpline opening times over Christmas and New Year:
- Wednesday 24 December: Open 9am to 4pm (Scotland only)
- Thursday 25 December – Friday 26 December: Closed
- Monday 29 December – Wednesday 31 December: Open 9am to 5pm
- Thursday 1 January: Closed
- Friday 2 January: Open 9am to 5pm (England and Wales only)
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
DLA helpline opening times over Christmas and New Year:
- Wednesday 24 December – Friday 26 December: Closed
- Monday 29 December – Wednesday 31 December: Open 9am to 5pm
- Thursday 1 January: Closed
- Friday 2 January: Open 9am to 5pm (England and Wales only)
Attendance Allowance (AA)
- Attendance Allowance helpline opening times over Christmas and New Year
- Wednesday 24 December – Friday 26 December: Closed
- Monday 29 December – Tuesday 30 December: Open 8am to 6pm
- Wednesday 31 December: Open 8am to 5pm
- Thursday 1 January: Closed
- Friday 2 January: Open 8am to 6pm (England and Wales only)
For more information, visit GOV.UK.
