The Ministry of Social Development office in Mount Maunganui will be temporarily closed next month.

Building improvements are underway at the office, located at 9 Owens Place.

Social development Bay of Plenty regional commissioner Mike Bryant says they're upgrading the Mount Maunganui service centre to help it work better for clients and staff.

'We'll have a more welcoming office, clients will have more privacy when they talk with a case manager and there will be added security for clients, visitors, and our people.

'These changes have been tested and are already in some service centres. Our recent Te Puke refit has been very well received.”

The office will close at 5pm on Thursday, September 1, and it will take about three weeks to complete the work.

Although the service centre will be temporarily closed, Mike says staff will be working from other locations and able to help online or by phone.

Anyone who needs help can still get in touch by calling 0800 559 009 for Work and Income or 0800 552 002 for Senior Services.

The office is scheduled to re-open on Wednesday, September 28, at 9.30am.