If you’re deaf or have hearing loss and are looking for work, your local Jobcentre Plus office can support you.
What Jobcentre Plus can help with
If you’re unemployed and looking for work, your local Jobcentre Plus can help you:
- find jobs to apply to
- access local training courses and work experience schemes
You may also be able to claim benefits while you look for work. Use the Turn2us benefits calculator to check what you could be entitled to.
Find your local Jobcentre Plus on GOV.UK
Going to a Jobcentre Plus interview
You’ll be invited to an interview with a work coach at your local Jobcentre Plus office.
Tell them in advance if you need an interpreter or communication support at the interview. You have a right to communication support at appointments where face-to-face communication is needed.
The work coach will help you to set work goals, and talk about how you can reach them.
If you’re claiming any benefits, you’ll usually need to go to Jobcentre meetings every 2 weeks. This is sometimes called “signing on”. Communication support is not usually provided for signing on.
Getting extra support from a Disability Employment Adviser (DEA)
You can ask to meet the Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) at your local Jobcentre Plus.
The DEA can help you with things like:
- training courses in your area that could help you develop your skills
- finding disability-friendly employers
If a DEA is not available, talk to your work coach about support you need.
Making a complaint about Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus has a legal duty to make reasonable adjustments so you’re not put at a disadvantage when using their services. Find out more about your rights.
If you think your Jobcentre Plus office is failing to provide appropriate access to its services, you can make a complaint.
You’ll need to send your complaint in writing to your local Jobcentre Plus office. Include:
- your national insurance number
- your full name, address and contact number
- what happened, when it happened and how it affected you
- what you want to happen to put things right
Find out more about making a complaint on the GOV.UK website
Get further support to find a job
There are employability support programmes that can help you. What’s available depends on where you live:
- check your local council’s website for employment support in England
- find employment support in Scotland
- find employment support in Wales
- find employment support in Northern Ireland
Contact us
If you are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus and need free confidential and impartial information and support, contact RNID.
We’re open 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.