Get an advance on your first benefit payment

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1. Overview

You may be able to get an advance on your first benefit payment if you鈥檙e in urgent financial need.

You usually pay it back through your benefits. You do not have to pay interest.

This page is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

You can ask for an advance if you鈥檝e recently applied for:

  • Universal Credit
  • Jobseeker鈥檚 Allowance (JSA)
  • Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Carer鈥檚 Allowance
  • Pension Credit
  • State Pension

You鈥檒l be told when you鈥檒l be paid and how much. You鈥檒l usually be paid on the same day or the next working day. It鈥檒l be paid into your bank or Post Office account.

2. How to apply

罢丑别谤别鈥檚 separate guidance if you鈥檝e applied for Universal Credit and need an advance.

Call the right phone number for the benefit you鈥檙e claiming. You must tell the adviser about your circumstances and how much you think you need to borrow.

ESA or JSA
Telephone: 0800 169 0310
Welsh language: 0800 328 1744
Textphone: 0800 169 0314
(if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm

Carer鈥檚 Allowance
Telephone: 0800 731 0297
Welsh language: 0800 731 0297
Textphone: 0800 731 0317
(if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 731 0297
Monday, 8.45am to 2pm
Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 2pm

Pension Credit or State Pension
Telephone: 0800 731 0469
Welsh language: 0800 731 0453
Textphone: 0800 731 0464
(if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 731 0469
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (except public holidays)

Find out about call charges.

If you cannot use the phone

You can ask to use the phone in your local Jobcentre Plus if you cannot afford to make a phone call.

Ask a Jobcentre Plus adviser to assess you and apply on your behalf if you鈥檙e unable to speak on the phone.

Getting another advance

You might be able to ask for another advance straight after getting one or being turned down. You can only do this if you can show that your circumstances have changed, meaning you need more money than you previously thought.

Paying it back

The adviser will tell you how to pay back the advance. Usually a little will be taken from each of your benefit payments until it鈥檚 paid back. You do not have to pay interest on it.

If you鈥檙e not happy with a decision

You can ask for a decision to be reconsidered if you鈥檙e not happy with it. Say this when you鈥檙e told the decision.