Universal Credit claimants can get one-off payment worth up to £812
The smallest amount you can borrow is £100, but you may be able to get up to £348 if you're single, £464 if you're in a couple, or £812 if you have children
Universal Credit claimants can get help with emergency household costs through a budgeting advance loan from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
For example, for you may be eligible if you need to replace your fridge or boiler, or for repairs to your home. You may also be awarded help if you need extra money related to your job, if you need to move, or for funeral costs.
But as this is a loan, it needs to be paid back through your future Universal Credit payments, normally over a period of two years. You're not charged interest on a budgeting advance.
The smallest amount you can borrow is £100, but you may be able to get up to £348 if you're single, £464 if you're in a couple, or £812 if you have children. The DWP will decide how much you will get.
You must have been getting Universal Credit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Income- related Jobseeker's Allowance or Pension Credit for six months or more, to get budgeting advance.
You can be claiming benefits for less than six months if you need the money to help you with work. You'll also need to have earned less than £2,600 in the six months before your application, or £3,600 if you live with a partner.
If you have more than £1,000 in savings, your budgeting advance will be reduced by however much you have in savings over this amount. For example, if you have £1,100 in savings, your loan will be reduced by £100.
You cannot get a second budgeting advance if you have not paid off your first loan. Citizens Advice has listed the following scenarios which could qualify you for a budgeting advance:
Replace broken appliances
Buy work uniform or tools
Unexpected expenses
Repairs to your home
Travel expenses
Maternity expenses
Funeral expenses
Moving costs or rent deposit
Essential items
To apply for a budgeting advance, you can put a message in your Universal Credit online journal, contact your nearest jobcentre or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.
You will still need to repay your budgeting advance even if you stop claiming Universal Credit. The DWP can contact your employer or a debt collection agency to recover what you owe if you stop paying.
Universal Credit payments rose by 1.7% from this month. Universal Credit is made up of a standard allowance, which is the basic amount you get before any additional elements - for example, if you have children or are unable to work due to illness - or any deductions are taken into account.
Universal Credit full rates explained
Standard allowance
Single under 25: £316.98 a month
Single 25 or over: £400.14 a month
Joint claimants both under 25: £497.55 a month
Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £628.10 a month
Child element
First child born before April 6, 2017: £339 a month
First child born on or after April 6, 2017 or second child and subsequent child: £292.81 a month
Disabled child element lower rate: £158.76 a month
Disabled child higher rate: £495.87 a month
Limited capability for work
Limited capability for work: £158.76 a month
Limited capability for work or work-related activity: £423.27 a month
Carer element
£201.68 a month
Work allowance
Higher work allowance (no housing amount): £684 a month
Lower work allowance (with housing amount): £411 a month
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