A petition is calling on the Department of Work and Pensions to stop charging people to phone their offices, after it was revealed that the new benefits helpline could cost callers up to 45p per minute.
Last month the chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, Frank Field, called the costs "disturbing" as under the charges, a 40 minute phone call from a mobile phone could cost £18; equivalent to a third of the youth rate of Jobseekers Allowance.
The petition, titled 'Provide FREE 0800 access to all DWP departments, agencies and public bodies' has amassed more than 60,000 signatures of support. It states: "People calling the Department of Work and Pensions to deal with their benefits or tax credits-including job seekers allowance, child tax credit, housing benefit and income support- under the new 'Universal Credit' scheme are being forced to use [a] premium rate number if they wish to call DWP about their claim.
"The number costs between 9p and 40p a minute from a mobile phone. Individuals having to make contact with the Department of Work and Pensions often have no choice but to do so from mobile phones, and many can't use the service online. This needs to change as it disproportionately affects those who can least afford the charges."
A spokesperson for the Department of Work and Pensions told The Independent: "Everyone is able to claim our benefits for free either online or via an 0800 number. For information about our other services, we offer 0345 numbers- charged at local rates- and anyone can ask for a call back. We also have clear and comprehensive information available online about eligibility and how to claim."
