HARD-UP Universal Credit claimants waiting for their first payment can apply for a budgeting advance.
Many households are struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living continues to rise.
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So families will be looking for help wherever they can get it.
But what is the budgeting advance, who is eligible and how do you apply?
What is the Universal Credit budgeting advance?
The budgeting advance is a loan which can be used to cover certain expenses, such as furniture, household equipment, clothing or footwear.
Because it’s a loan, it’ll need to be repaid, but it could come in handy if you have a sudden need for cash.
The budgeting advance is not be confused with an advance payment, which is a loan to help you through the five-week wait for your first Universal Credit payment.
With summer now firmly behind us, getting a budgeting advance could help those struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living soars.
Who’s eligible for the Universal Credit budgeting advance?
To get a budgeting advance, you must have:
- Been getting Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance or State Pension Credit for six months or more, unless you need the money to help you start a new job or keep an existing job
- Earned less than £2,600 (£3,600 jointly for couples) in the past six months
- Paid off any previous budgeting advances
How much you can get depends on whether you can pay the loan back and whether you have any savings over £1,000.
Your first £1,000 of savings will be ignored, but the loan amount you are offered will be reduced by £1 for every £1 you have over that first £1,000.
You can apply for a budgeting advance to cover things like:
- A one-off item – for example, replacing a broken fridge
- Work-related expenses – for example, buying uniform or tools
- Unexpected expenses
- Repairs to your home
- Travel expenses
- Maternity expenses
- Funeral expenses
- Moving costs or rent deposit
- Essential items, like clothes
How much can I get?
The maximum you can get for a budgeting advance is £348 if you’re single with no children or £464 if you are a couple with no children.
If you do have children, you can get up to £812 as a loan.
The lowest amount you can get for a budgeting advance is £100.
What can I use the budgeting advance for?
A budgeting advance can be used to pay for emergency costs, including replacing a broken cooker, getting a job or staying in work or funeral costs.
It can also be used to pay for footwear or clothes.
When do I pay the budgeting advance back?
Claimants who have taken out a budgeting advance loan have to pay it back within the first 12 months of getting it.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) deduct an amount from your Universal Credit payment every month, starting with your first one.
You can work out how much will be deducted from your payment every month by dividing the full cost of the loan by 12.
For example, if you borrowed £812 you will see roughly £68 taken off your Universal Credit payment every month.
If you stop getting Universal Credit, you’ll have to agree another way to repay the loan.
How to apply for a budgeting advance
You can apply for a budgeting advance by calling the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644, or 0800 012 1888 if you’d like to speak in Welsh.
An advisor will then look at whether you can pay the loan back – they’ll see if you have any debts and how much you owe to help work this out.
The phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, and you’ll normally get a decision on the same day.
Alternatively, you can apply through your online account or speak to your Jobcentre Plus work coach.
What can I do if my budgeting advance application gets rejected?
If your application is rejected, you can’t appeal but you can ask for the decision to be looked at again.
It will help if you can give new evidence or show that your circumstances have changed since your first request.
If you’re still rejected, you may be able to apply for help from the Flexible Support Fund.
The money can be used to help cover the costs of things such as childcare, uniforms, or work tools as long as they help you get a job.
This is only supposed to be issued if all other help has been exhausted – but that’s not to say that you’re not entitled to it.
Alternatively, it might also be worth seeing if you can get a grant to buy any white goods that have broken.
In August, there were 8,000 charities and organisations in the UK that offered cash to help struggling families.
Turn2Us has a free grants search tool so you can find out what help is available to you.
You’ll need to search for what’s available specifically in your area by entering your postcode.
Find out more about what Universal Credit is and whether you might be eligible for a claim.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk
