Budgeting advances can be awarded for:
Emergency household costs such as replacing a broken cooker
Getting a job or staying in work
Funeral costs
These advances will be repaid to the Government through regular Universal Credit payments which will be lower until the debt is repaid.
Universal Credit claimants with children may be eligible for additional payments q (Image: GETTY)
It should be noted budgeting advances will need to be repaid even if a claimant stops getting Universal Credit.
The smallest amount that can be borrowed is £100 but it is possible to get up to:
£348 if a claimant is single
To be eligible for a budgeting advance, all of the following must apply:
The claimant has been getting Universal Credit, employment and support allowance, income support, jobseeker’s allowance or state pension credit for six months or more, unless they need the money to help them start a new job or stay in work
They ve earned less than £2,600 (£3,600 together for couple) over the past six months
They ve paid off any previous budgeting advance loans
Universal Credit is tailored to claimant s circumstances (Image: EXPRESS)
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To apply for a budgeting advance, claimants will need to contact their local Jobcentre Plus work coach for assistance.
| UPDATED: 08:12, Fri, Feb 19, 2021
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Universal Credit payments are tailored to an individual claimant s circumstances, with additional amounts provided for certain elements such as childcare. If a claimant still requires additional support after their monthly payment, certain perks could be received such as a reduction on council tax bills.
| UPDATED: 08:00, Mon, Feb 1, 2021
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Universal Credit is a state benefit which provides support to those who are on a low income or out of work entirely. It can be awarded to people who are aged between 18 and state pension age (with some exceptions for those who are 16 or 17) who have less than £16,000 in savings.