Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many higher-rate telephone numbers his Department operates for new and existing claimants, and for which benefit categories; and what the average cost and duration is of each call to each of those numbers by benefit category.

The Department’s current policy is that calls to claim benefit by telephone should be free to a customer so it uses 0800 free phone numbers where these calls typically take longer. The current Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) policy is that all calls should be free to our 0800 numbers to claim:

· State Pension;

· Pension Credit;

· Jobseeker’s Allowance;

· Income Support;

· Employment Support Allowance; and,

· Personal Independence Payment

It is free to call DWP 0800 numbers from all major landline providers. DWP has secured agreements to ensure that it is free to call via six of the UK’s largest mobile phone operators.

For other enquiry helplines the Department has now introduced 0345 numbers and has started the process to cease offering 0845 number options from 1 July. Any charges that apply to these calls will be set by the customer’s telephone or mobile operator and vary depending on call plan type and the time of day at which the call is made.

Calls to 0345 numbers cost no more than a standard geographic call, and count towards any free or inclusive minutes in your landline or mobile phone contract. DWP does not use premium rate numbers.