Apply for a Universal Credit advance or hardship payment
Get an advance for unexpected costs
If you already get Universal Credit and need help paying for a one-off cost, you might be able to get a Budgeting Advance payment.
What you can use a Budgeting Advance for
You can use this payment to cover a one-off cost for things like:
- furniture
- household items such as a cooker, washing machine or vacuum cleaner
- essential items for your family such as mobility aids or child safety products
- a TV, in some circumstances
- clothes or footwear
- repairs or security for your home
- funeral expenses
- a rent (tenancy) deposit or removal costs, if you’re moving house
You can also check with your local council if you can get help paying a deposit for housing.
What you cannot use a Budgeting Advance for
You cannot use a Budgeting Advance payment for:
- ongoing costs such as food
- household bills such as gas or electricity
- rent
- paying off debts
What you can get
What you get will depend on how much you need. The smallest amount you can borrow is £100. You can get up to:
- £348 if you’re single
- £464 if you’re part of a couple
- £812 if you have children
Eligibility
To get a Budgeting Advance, you’ll need to either:
- have been getting Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance or State Pension Credit for 6 months or more
- need the money to help you start a new job or stay in work
You will not be eligible if either:
- you’ve earned more than £2,600 (£3,600 together for couples) in the past 6 months
- you’ve not paid off any previous Budgeting Advance loans (you can only have one at a time)
How to apply
To apply, you can do any of the following:
- update your journal in your Universal Credit account
- ask a Universal Credit contact at your local jobcentre or your work coach
- call the Universal Credit helpline
Universal Credit helpline
Telephone: 0800 328 5644
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 328 5644
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Welsh language: 0800 328 1744
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
Paying back your advance
You’ll pay your advance back through your Universal Credit payments. You’ll usually pay it back over 24 months, starting from your next Universal Credit payment.
Example
You get an advance of £240. You pay this back over 24 months, so £10 is taken off your payment each month.
If you’re struggling to repay an advance
If you cannot afford your advance repayments, you can ask for the amount you pay to change. To do this, you can:
- update your journal in your Universal Credit account
- ask a Universal Credit contact at your local jobcentre or your work coach
- call the Universal Credit helpline
Repaying if you no longer claim Universal Credit
If you’re no longer claiming Universal Credit you’ll still need to pay back your advance.
If you move to another benefit, the deductions will usually continue from your payments.
If you move off benefits, you’ll get a letter from DWP Debt Management explaining how to repay and manage money you owe. If you want to discuss your repayments you can call DWP Debt Management.