I've just been speaking to one of the staff there who told me this office is closing and all staff being redeployed to JCPs with first lot moving out on Friday. He tells me all DLA claims they normally deal with are now going to Blackpool and all AA to Palatine House (CA unit).

closure confirmed ...

... Manchester Disability Benefits Centre (DBC) closed on 6 November 2009. Work has transferred to teams in Blackpool and Preston.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/about-dwp/customer-delivery/disability-and-carers-service/outreach-events-and-local/manchester/

It says on the site "there is no charge to customers who choose to contact us by telephone" then gives the 0845 nbr which is not free at all.

If you click on the 'call charges' link it does go on to give the 0800 nbr for the BEL which is all very misleading.

Sorry if im wrong, but i read it as 'there is no change to customers who choose to contact us by telephone'.

Yes defo no change.

However, if someone wants to ring DLA (or anyone else wiith an 084 no) you could try http://www.saynoto0870.com/search.php

I popped in 08457 123456 and there's a host of geographic numbers which may be of interest to anyone with free calls in their package.

I for instance cannot dial 0800 numbers as it won't put me through, probably as Tesco wouldn't make a % on the call.

I can however, have geo numbers out of my 'free' allowance.

blimey that's me always rushing and seeing the worst