A universal credit budgeting advance is an interest-free loan designed to help universal credit claimants pay for one-off or unforeseen expenses. Learn about how much you can borrow, and compare your other options with our guide.
If you’re on universal credit or other benefits and need to cover a large upcoming expense, you can choose to receive some of your benefit upfront as a loan. The loan is then repaid over the next 12 months through your regular universal credit payments, which means you’ll receive a lower monthly payment until the loan amount has been paid off.
The minimum amount you can claim on a budgeting advance loan is £100. The maximum amount depends on your personal circumstances and how much money you have in savings.
However, if you have more than £1,000 in savings, the amount you can borrow will be the figure above, less whatever savings you have above £1,000. For example, if you’re a single person without any dependent children and you have £1,100 in savings, the maximum you can borrow is reduced to £248 (£348 minus £100).
When you apply for a universal credit budgeting advance, you should receive a decision on the same day. The budgeting advance should then be paid into your bank account within 3 days but can be transferred on the same day in the case of an emergency.
You can apply for a universal credit budgeting advance online, by contacting your local Jobcentre Plus work coach or by calling one of the universal credit helplines below. You’ll need to prove you have a valid need for the loan and can pay it back.
Universal Credit helpline
Call centres are open Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm.
The loan isn’t only available for universal credit claimants. You may be eligible for the loan if you’ve claimed any of the following benefits in the last 6 months:
You must have earned less than £2,600 in the past 6 months (or £3,600 if you’re part of a couple) to be eligible for a loan.
However, you’ll likely be refused a budgeting advance if it appears that you may be unable to pay it back.
If you’ve claimed a budgeting advance in the past, you must have paid it back before you can claim another one.
If you’re struggling to meet essential expenses like rent or food while waiting for your first UC payment, you can ask for a universal credit advance instead. This is a different interest-free loan, although it’s also paid back via deductions from future UC payments.
A universal credit budgeting advance will only be approved if it’s being used for essential one-off expenses or charges, such as:
You’ll be asked what you’re planning to spend the money on. If you’re trying to claim a budgeting advance for ongoing costs (like food, travel or childcare) or one-off luxury purchases (like a new TV or event tickets), your claim will be denied.
Repayments are automatically deducted from future universal credit payments. These deductions are usually spread across your next 12 universal credit payments, and you can request that your payments not start for 3 months in exceptional circumstances.
If you no longer receive universal credit, you’ll still need to pay off the budgeting advance loan amount.
If you’re struggling to afford rent, you could explore whether you’re eligible for a discretionary housing payment. This is another benefit available to those claiming housing benefits.
Benefit claimants are likely to have limited options when it comes to claiming loans. You may be eligible for a credit-builder credit card or a payday loan, but these have higher interest rates attached to them and could cause more problems than they solve. A payday loan should be your last resort for borrowing money. Only apply if you can afford to make the repayments on time.
If you’re in extreme financial hardship, you may be eligible for financial assistance from your local council.
If you’re really struggling for ideas to cover an unexpected expense, consider seeking debt advice from an independent body, such as the MoneyHelper.
A universal credit budgeting advance is a useful option that could get universal credit claimants out of a sticky financial situation. Although the loan is interest-free, it will reduce your benefits for the next 12 months, so it should only be claimed if you can get by with a reduced benefit payment.
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When will I be next eligible for a budgeting advance?
Hi Simon,
Thanks for reaching out to finder.
In order for you to be eligible to get another budgeting advance, you must have paid off any previous Budgeting Advances.
You can contact your local Jobcentre Plus to apply over the phone and you’ll usually get a decision on the same day. They can also advise you if you’re eligible and how much you can get.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Charisse
I’ve paid back all of my budgeting advance payment. Will I be able to get another one?
Hi Andrew,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
Congratulations for paying back all your balance, Andrew! Regarding your question, the answer is most likely yes. Once you’re done paying your outstanding balance, you can then again apply for another budgeting advance loan provided that you also meet other requirements. You can check those requirements listed above.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
Hi! Can I get budgeting advance if I only got one more payment to pay?
Hi Nazish,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
You would need to pay your balance first before you can claim another one. Please review this page as well to get more information.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
I would like to apply for £300 until I next get paid, please?
Hello Margaret,
Thank you for your comment.
To apply for a Universal Credit advance you can:
– speak to your Jobcentre Plus work coach
– apply through your online account
– call the Universal Credit helpline
If you apply for an advance online through your account you will need to click the ‘apply for an advance’ section.
You can only apply for an advance online if you are within your first Universal Credit assessment period. If you have passed your first assessment period you will be directed to apply by calling the helpline. When you apply for an advance online the amount you can borrow will be shown on screen. If you are part of a couple you will also be asked if your partner agrees to taking the advance.
If you apply for an advance by speaking to your work coach or calling the Universal Credit helpline, you (and your partner if you have one) will need to:
-explain why you need an advance
-provide bank account details where the advance should be paid
-have had your identity checked (you’ll do this online when you submit your Universal Credit claim, or in the jobcentre during your first interview)
They will usually let you know on the same day if you can get an advance. Hope this helps.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
How can I find out if I’ve paid all my universal credit budgeting advance loan?
Hello Elizabeth,
Thank you for your comment.
Usually, you will receive a letter telling you how much you owe. The letter will ask you to contact DWP Debt Management Contact Centre to arrange your repayments. It is important that you do not ignore this letter.
If you don’t make payment arrangements, the DWP can recover the amount you owe by either:
– contacting your employer (where you have one) to arrange for deductions to be made from your earnings
– asking an independent debt collection agency to collect this money on our behalf (you should deal directly with the independent debt collector to arrange repayment)
Regards,
Jhezelyn