Universal Credit Opening Times: Phone Line, Closing Time and Weekends
The Universal Credit (UC) helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. The main number is 0800 328 5644.
GOV.UK publishes these weekday helpline hours. When the phone line is closed, you can still use your online account to manage parts of your claim.
Hours on this page come from the official GOV.UK contact guidance.
Reviewed by Sarah Ahmed, benefits guidance writer. Last checked: October 2026
Universal Credit Opening Times at a Glance
The main Universal Credit helpline follows the published hours below.
| Service | Opening times |
| Universal Credit helpline | Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm |
| Saturday | No regular hours listed |
| Sunday | No regular hours listed |
| Bank holidays | No separate timetable listed |
These are the normal Universal Credit open times for the main helpline in England, Scotland and Wales. Other DWP helplines can have different hours.
What Time Does Universal Credit Open and Close?
The main Universal Credit phone line opens at 8am and closes at 6pm, Monday to Friday.
The Universal Credit closing time is therefore 6pm on weekdays. If you miss the helpline, you can use your online account for available claim tasks and call again during the published hours.
Do not mix this up with other DWP phone services. GOV.UK lists the New Style ESA and New Style JSA helplines as open from 8am to 5pm. Their hours are separate from the Universal Credit helpline.
Universal Credit Phone Number and Contact Details
Call 0800 328 5644 for the main Universal Credit helpline. GOV.UK’s call charges page lists 0800 and 0808 numbers as Freephone.
Other ways to get in touch include:
- Welsh language: 0800 328 1744
- Relay UK: dial 18001, then 0800 328 5644
- British Sign Language: a video relay service is available
- Online: use your Universal Credit account and journal
What Time Does the Universal Credit Phone Line Open?
The phone line opens at 8am, Monday to Friday, and closes at 6pm.
For more information about the number and how to call, see our Universal Credit helpline guide.
Is Universal Credit Open on Saturday or Sunday?
If you are looking for Universal Credit opening times on Saturday, GOV.UK does not list regular Saturday hours for the main helpline. Regular Sunday hours are not listed either.
The published schedule covers Monday to Friday. Other DWP services may have different arrangements.
Your online account can still help with available claim tasks outside phone hours. Depending on your claim, you can:
- Check when your next payment is due
- Read and send journal messages
- View your to-do list
- Report changes in your circumstances
- View your claimant commitment
Is Universal Credit Open Today or on a Bank Holiday?
The standard Universal Credit helpline hours are Monday to Friday, from 8am to 6pm.
The contact page does not give a separate bank holiday timetable. If you need to call on a bank holiday, check the official contact page before you call.
Bank holidays differ between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. See GOV.UK’s UK bank holidays page for the dates in each part of the UK.
What Can You Do When the Universal Credit Helpline Is Closed?
Your online account can help you check your to-do list, see payment information and use your journal to contact your work coach or case manager.
The journal is not an instant messaging service. GOV.UK says replies can take a few days and are sent during usual opening hours.
If you cannot attend an appointment, you should leave a message in your journal explaining why as soon as possible.
- If you cannot sign in, see our Universal Credit login problems guide.
- If the online service is not working, see our Universal Credit service unavailable guide.
- For help with journal messages, see our Universal Credit journal guide.
How to Know It Is Universal Credit Calling
After you claim, Universal Credit may phone you if they need information.
GOV.UK says these calls can show on your phone as:
- 0800 0232 635
- 0800 640 4999
- An unknown number
- A withheld number
If you have blocked withheld numbers, you may need to unblock them. You can also ask Universal Credit to leave a message in your journal so you can check that the call is genuine.
Universal Credit will never text or email you asking for personal information or bank details. If a call, text or email might not be from Universal Credit, do not share your information. It could be a scam.
Are Job Centre Opening Times the Same as Universal Credit?
No. The helpline hours above are for the Universal Credit phone line. A Jobcentre can have its own arrangements for appointments and face-to-face visits. Your Universal Credit account shows appointment details when you have one. Appointments can be by phone, video or face to face.
Universal Credit Opening Times in Northern Ireland
If you live in Northern Ireland, GOV.UK directs you to the Universal Credit Service Centre instead of the main helpline.
Check nidirect for its current contact details and service information.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main helpline opens at 8am, Monday to Friday.
The main helpline closes at 6pm, Monday to Friday.
The main Universal Credit (UC) helpline is open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm. The main number is 0800 328 5644.
The Universal Credit phone line opens at 8am on weekdays.
GOV.UK does not list regular weekend hours for the main helpline. The published schedule covers Monday to Friday.
Yes. You can use your online account and journal for available claim tasks. Journal replies are not instant and can take a few days.
The contact page does not give a separate holiday timetable. Check the latest GOV.UK information before calling.
No. Jobcentre arrangements can differ from Universal Credit helpline hours.