Universal Credit
Financial help and support
If you need financial support, you can get help and advice from the government, local councils and other organisations.
If you get Universal Credit, you could be eligible for other benefits or financial support. You should check what you can get.
You might be able to get .
If you need money urgently
If you do not have enough to live on while you wait for your first Universal Credit payment, you can ask for an advance payment after you鈥檝e made a claim.
If you got a sanction and now cannot pay for rent, heating, or food, you can also ask for a hardship payment. You should check if you are eligible.
You will need to pay this back. Your Universal Credit payments will be lower until it鈥檚 repaid.
How to get an advance in an emergency
You might be able to get a Budgeting Advance to help with:
- emergency household costs such as replacing a broken cooker
- getting a job or staying in work
- funeral costs
You鈥檒l repay it through your regular Universal Credit payments - these will be lower until you pay it back. If you stop getting Universal Credit, you鈥檒l have to repay the money in another way.
How much you can borrow
What you get will depend on how much you need.
The smallest amount you can borrow is 拢100. You can get up to:
- 拢348 if you鈥檙e single
- 拢464 if you鈥檙e part of a couple
- 拢812 if you have children
Eligibility
To get a Budgeting Advance, you鈥檒l need to either:
- have been getting Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker鈥檚 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鈥檝e earned more than 拢2,600 (拢3,600 together for couples) in the past 6 months
- you鈥檝e 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
- call the Universal Credit helpline
Universal Credit helpline
Telephone: 0800 328 5644
Textphone: 0800 328 1344
(if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 328 5644
British Sign Language (BSL) if you鈥檙e on a computer - find out how to
Welsh language: 0800 328 1744
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
How to change your monthly Universal Credit
If you鈥檙e having financial difficulties or you鈥檙e behind on your rent, you can ask to change the way your Universal Credit is paid.
You or your landlord may be able to apply for an Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA).
Financial help for unexpected job expenses
When you鈥檙e working or starting work, you may have to pay for something that you were not expecting, for example, a uniform or equipment.
If your employer does not pay for something, you should speak to your work coach. They can tell you if you can get the money upfront or claim it back.
Advice on money and debt
If you need help to manage your budget or bills, you can get free advice.
You can get help to take care of your living costs including support with your utility bills, housing costs or NHS prescriptions.