Get help with benefits and pensions if you have accessibility needs
Get help if you have difficulties claiming benefits and pensions because of a disability or health condition.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) can make adjustments for you if your disability or health condition makes it difficult to:
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use the phone
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use the internet
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read letters
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fill in forms
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attend face-to-face meetings
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understand complicated information to manage your own affairs
Difficulty using the phone
If you have difficulty using the phone, you can use one of the following services instead.
Relay UK
Relay UK is a national service provided by BT that helps people with hearing and speech difficulties communicate with people over the phone. This can be used to contact all of our benefit and pension services.
Textphone
Textphone is available for all benefits and pensions services. The textphone number is given with the other contact details in benefits and pensions guides.
Video Relay Service
Video Relay Service allows British Sign Language (BSL) users to communicate with DWP through a BSL interpreter. The service is available for all DWP benefits and services. Check benefit and service contact details to find out where it is available and how to use it.
Other alternatives to the telephone
If you cannot use these, you can ask for:
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communication by email – make sure you tell us this is because of your disability or health condition
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support from a family member, a friend or someone else such as a welfare rights adviser – make sure you give them your permission to help you
Difficulty using a computer
If you have difficulty using our online services, contact the service by phone or letter. Tell them you cannot use the digital service because of your disability. You will be helped to access the service in a different way.
Difficulty reading letters or filling in forms
If you have difficulty reading letters or filling in forms, let us know when you contact us. You can ask for information in other ways, for example:
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larger typesize
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Braille – make clear if you need grade 1 (also known as uncontracted Braille) or grade 2 (also known as contracted Braille)
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audio – you can get letters or leaflets on CD or as an MP3 file
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email – if you use assistive technology, you can get letters and forms emailed to you in a suitable format
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phone – ask for a phone call to explain things in more detail
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paper colour – if you find it difficult to read letters because of the colour you can ask for them in a different colour
Difficulty attending face-to-face meetings
You may need to visit an office as part of your benefit or pension claim. If this may be difficult because of your disability or health condition, you can ask for ‘reasonable adjustments’, for example:
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an appointment at a quieter time
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a quiet area or separate room in a jobcentre to meet
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a room with a hearing loop
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a British Sign Language interpreter
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someone to meet you when you arrive at a building
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bringing someone you know to support you
Contact the office that asked you to attend an appointment.
If you cannot visit an office because of your disability or health condition, you can ask for a home visit.
Difficulty managing your own affairs
If you cannot manage your own affairs, or would like someone to act on your behalf you can ask for someone to become your appointee.
How to complain
If you feel that a service or information is not accessible, you can make a complaint.
Updates to this page
Last updated 11 March 2024 + show all updates
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Amended the wording about the 2 different types of Braille (also known as un-contracted and contracted Braille).
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The Video Relay Service for British Sign Language (BSL) users is now available for all DWP benefits and services.
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Added translation
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First published.