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Part of How to claim Universal Credit: step by step

Apply for a Universal Credit advance or hardship payment

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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 or 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 your repayments to be delayed for up to 6 months. 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.

View a printable version of the whole guide

This page is Part of How to claim Universal Credit: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check if you're eligible

    1. Check if you're eligible for Universal Credit

    If you've worked in the last 2 to 3 years, you may also be eligible for:

  2. Step 2 Create an account and make a claim

    You need an online account to claim Universal Credit.

    1. Set up an account and make a claim

    You must submit your claim within 28 days of creating your account.

    If you live with your partner, they will also need to set up an account. You'll be given a code to link the accounts together.

  3. and Find out how your claim is assessed

    You'll need to have an interview with Jobcentre Plus. You'll be told how to arrange this after you submit your claim. It will be within 10 working days.

    If you have a disability or health condition you may need a work capability assessment. You'll be told if you need one after you claim.

    1. What to do if you have a health condition or disability

  4. Step 3 Apply for an advance on your first payment

    If you need help with bills or other costs while you wait for your first payment, you can apply to get an advance.

    1. Get an advance on your first Universal Credit payment
    2. Check if you can get any other financial support

  5. Step 4 Get your first payment

    You’ll get your first payment 5 weeks after you claim. Your account will be updated to tell you how much it will be.

    1. What to do if you disagree with the decision

  6. Step 5 Report any change of circumstances

    You must update your account if your circumstances change to get the right payment.

    1. How to report a change in circumstances
    2. What to do if your payments are stopped