DWP issues updated jobcentre guidance in response to announcement of third national lockdown in England

While jobcentres will remain open, it will only be for those who need extra support and are 'unable to interact on the phone or digitally'

The DWP has issued updated jobcentre guidance in response to the announcement of the third national lockdown in England which came into effect on 5 January 2021.

Following the commencement of the lockdown brought in to contain the spread of Covid-19, the updated guidance advises that jobcentres will remain open, as they have throughout the pandemic, to provide essential services and support in line with the latest government and Public Health England guidance to those who cannot be helped in any other way.

In addition, the DWP says that - 

• work coaches will be 'empowered' to support claimants through the best and most appropriate channels - whether online, by phone, or in-person;
• work coaches will continue to deliver employment support programmes such as the Job Entry Targeted Support scheme, by phone or through online channels; 
• face-to-face assessments for disability benefits will remain suspended;
• those who think they might be entitled to a health and disability benefit should contact the DWP as soon as possible to make a claim 'in the usual way'; and
• for existing claimants, payments will continue as normal, and anyone who has a change in their needs should contact the DWP immediately so that it can 'ensure they are receiving the correct level of support'.

NB - the DWP also confirms that the same guidance will apply in Scotland while it is in level five and in Wales while it is in alert level four - the highest levels of their Covid tiered systems which they entered on 4 January 2021 and 28 December 2020 respectively.

In Northern Ireland, claimants are advised to contact the Department for Communities for more information.

For more information, see Jobcentre guidance on new national COVID restrictions from gov.uk