Budgeting Loans
Apply
Check you’re eligible before you apply.
If you get Universal Credit you cannot get a Budgeting Loan. You’ll need to apply for a Budgeting Advance instead.
You can apply online or using the paper form. It’s quicker to apply online.
Apply online
When you apply online, you can choose to get a decision on your loan by either:
- text message
- letter
It’s quicker to get the decision by email or text message and accept it online.
There’s a different way to apply for a Budgeting Loan in Northern Ireland.
Apply using the paper form
You will need to fill in form SF500. You can:
- download and print the form
- phone the Social Fund Enquiry Line and ask for a form to be posted to you - allow 7 days for the form to arrive
Social Fund Enquiry Line
Telephone: 0800 169 0140
Textphone: 0800 169 286
Welsh language: 0800 169 0240
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0140
Video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users - check you can use the service
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
Return your completed form by post.
