The DVLA and DWP have outlined precisely when their contact centres and telephone lines will be available throughout the bank holiday weekend. However, people requiring assistance from them during the bank holiday may need to organise ahead to make contact.
The Easter weekend includes two bank holidays on Good Friday, 3rd April, and Easter Monday, 6th April. Bank holidays are typically not regarded as working days even across government departments, so the extended weekend has the potential to create disruption for those needing to reach the departments or awaiting updates, payments and deliveries.
Department for Work and Pensions
The DWP posted on X alerting claimants: “Jobcentre Plus offices and phone lines will be closed on Fri 3 and Mon 6 Apr over the Easter period.”
The telephone lines will also remain closed throughout Saturday and Easter Sunday as they’re normally only available from Monday to Friday between 8am and 5pm.
Even those accessing their online Universal Credit account will typically only receive replies during weekdays.
The DWP contact number you need to use will vary depending on your reason for contacting the department initially. Some of the most frequently requested numbers are available here on the Gov.uk website.
The offices and telephone lines should resume normal operation from Tuesday, 7th April.
Nevertheless, it’s not only DWP contact centres being impacted by the bank holidays. Payments from the DWP scheduled for either Good Friday or Easter Monday will not be processed on these days due to most banks ceasing transactions. Instead, they will primarily be paid on the first working day prior, which is Thursday, 2nd April.
DVLA
Throughout the Easter period, customers will have access to DVLA’s online services. However, the department’s contact centres will be completely shut on Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.
On Saturday, 4th April, the DVLA contact centre will maintain its usual Saturday operating hours from 8am to 2pm. Normal operating hours will also resume from Tuesday, 7th April.
If you’re expecting deliveries from the DVLA, the department typically makes provisions for bank holidays and non-working days. The Gov.uk website features a tool that can direct individuals to the appropriate DVLA contact to resolve their issue.