Care and support

Claiming benefits at jobcentre plus

Most claims for benefit are now down through a telephone contact centre. Telephone the jobcentre plus contact centre if you want to start a claim for incapacity benefit or income support on 0800 055 6688. Tell them what benefit you want to claim. If you are aged under 18 they will send you a claim form in the post. If you are over 18 and would rather have a paper claim form than claim over the phone, you can insist on having one. This might be better for you if you have a learning disability or a hearing problem and you want someone to help you with the claim.

Work focused interviews

You and your partner, if you have one, may also be required to attend a work focused interview as a condition for getting benefit. This requirement to attend an interview may be 'waived' or 'deferred' if it is considered that it would not be of assistance or appropriate to you. Seek advice if this applies to you.