Friday 17 November 2023
Edward T Wheadon House (ETWH) will be closed on Friday 8th December and Monday 11th December for the installation of new mains electricity control equipment.
During the closure:
- ETWH will not be accessible to the public or staff.
- Staff that are normally based at ETWH will continue to work as normal, with the majority working from home and others will be relocated to Sir Charles Frossard House (SCFH) to ensure business continuity with respect to the payments of Income Support and other benefits.
- The main ETWH switchboard number, 222500, will continue to be operated by reception staff at SCFH.
Benefit payments will continue to be made as normal. However, there will be a limited ability to produce cheques or vouchers during Friday 8th December and Monday 11th December. Customers are encouraged to have benefit paid into a bank account where possible.
It would also help if customers could please report any relevant changes of circumstances or additional information to support an existing claim before Friday 8th December.
Customers can contact the team on 221000 or by email at incomesupport@gov.gg, benefits@gov.gg, or pensionsallowances@gov.gg.
As usual, rent payments from social housing tenants can be made online, at any post office, or over the phone on 226550.
Many online payments, such as for parking tickets, income tax, and TRP can be paid through 'Pay It' at www.gov.gg/payit. A full list of the services that can be paid through 'Pay It' can be found on this page.
Details about Driver and Vehicle Licensing online services, such as reporting a lost or stolen driving licence, or applying for a new driving licence, can be found at www.gov.gg/drivinglicence.
ETWH is scheduled to re-open on Tuesday 12th December as normal.
Ed Ashton, Director of Operations, said,
"The replacement mains electricity control equipment is required to ensure the resilience of the building's electrical infrastructure.
Due to the nature of the equipment, the building will have to be completely powered down and disconnected from the mains supply. This means the building does have to temporarily close, but we are doing everything we can to ensure business as normal for the two working days that the building will be inaccessible to staff and the public.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their understanding."
