If you have an expected expense or bill that you need to pay immediately but don’t have the funds available, then an emergency loan is an option to consider.
Emergency loans are funds that you can apply for and borrow in a fast turnaround time, sometimes even the same day. Personal loans and payday loans are the best sources for an emergency loan.
Personal loans are ideal for larger expenses and paying off over a longer period of time, while payday loans offer smaller amounts and shorter repayment periods.
It’s worth noting that not all personal loans providers have a fast turnaround time for approving and funding loans, so it’s worth checking how long it will take them to send the money you want to borrow before you commit.
Also be aware that payday lenders, while tending to offer more instant funding, do have higher interest rates, so should be a last resort.
It’s important that you read the terms of whichever loan you choose to apply for, and make sure that you can afford all the repayments.
You could apply for an emergency loan from a personal loans provider if they are one which is able to assess your application and get the funds straight out to you if you’re approved. Some personal loans providers that say they can offer same-day funding include Santander, My Community Bank, Bamboo, Lendable and Fluro.
Payday lenders will usually give you an instant decision when you apply for a loan online and will get the money out to you on the same day. You can read more about this type of short term loan in our guide to payday loans. Remember that payday loans are a very expensive way of borrowing money, so you should consider all your other options first.
Warning: Late repayment can cause you serious money problems. For help, go to moneyhelper.org.uk.
Please note: High-cost short-term credit is unsuitable for sustained borrowing over long periods and would be expensive as a means of longer-term borrowing.
You’re probably looking for an emergency loan if an unexpected expense has cropped up that you need to deal with straight away. For example, if your boiler has packed up during a cold snap or if your car has broken down and needs to be repaired.
If you need to borrow money for something that’s less of an emergency, say a dream holiday, or for something that you’re planning in advance, like a wedding or a home improvement project, then you’d be better off with a different form of funding.
This might be a more general personal loan that doesn’t necessarily need to be funded the same day, a secured loan if you’re a homeowner, or perhaps even a 0% purchase credit card that you could pay off gradually without accruing interest over the 0% period.
You’ll usually need to be at least 18 years old and a UK resident to apply, plus you will need sufficient income to be able to repay the amount you borrow.
Every lender will have different qualifying criteria though, and you can use a personal loan eligibility checker to see what loans you’re likely to be approved for before applying (these quotes will be generated via a “soft” credit check, so will not be visible on your credit file).
Some personal loans providers won’t approve applicants with bad credit – it will depend on their eligibility criteria.
Payday loan providers will usually consider applications from people with poor credit histories, and will typically focus more on how affordable the loan would be for you.
If you’re unemployed and not able to get approved for a loan with a personal loan or payday loan provider, then the government does offer emergency loans to people on benefits.
These loans are called Budgeting Loans and are provided through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The loans are interest-free and designed to help cover paying for things such as kitchen appliances, house furniture, advance rent, maternity costs, funeral costs, or costs associated with getting a new job.
You normally have to repay a Budgeting Loan within 2 years – the repayments will be based on your income and automatically taken from your benefits.
The lowest amount you can borrow is £100. You could get up to £348 if you’re single, £464 if you have a partner, or £812 if you or your partner claim Child Benefit.
To get a Budgeting Loan you must have been getting one or more of these benefits for the past 6 months: income support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or Pension Credit. You can apply online or by using a paper form.
If you already owe more than £1,500 in total for Budgeting Loans or Crisis Loans (the predecessor to Budgeting Loans), then you can’t apply for another Budgeting Loan.
You also can’t get a Budgeting Loan if you’re receiving Universal Credit, but you can apply for a different government emergency loan called a Budgeting Advance.
You’ll need to have been getting Universal Credit for 6 months, and the amount you can potentially borrow through a Budgeting Advance is the same as with a Budgeting Loan.
If you need money in a hurry to fund an essential and unexpected expense, then an emergency loan could be an option. Even though you need the money quickly, it’s still important that you research the loan provider, understand the terms of the loan and can afford to make the repayments. Remember that payday loans, although often an instant source of funds, have very high interest rates and should be considered a last resort. If you’re unemployed or receiving certain benefits, then you may also be eligible for a DWP emergency loan.
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