If you’re claiming Universal Credit and still struggling to make ends meet, you might be able to get some extra help towards your bills with a Budgeting Advance.
A Budgeting Advance is extra money on top of your Universal Credit payment to help you pay for certain essentials, such as an emergency household or funeral costs.
To qualify, you must have been getting one or more of these benefits for at least six months:
- Universal Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit
The smallest Budgeting Advance you can get is £100 and the most is £812, if you have children.
Bear in mind that you’ll need to pay back what you borrow and the repayments will be taken from your Universal Credit. If you stop getting Universal Credit, you’ll need to pay the money back in another way.
There are also other ways you can get help paying for emergency costs. For more info please contact us, Citizens Advice, Turn to Us or ask your local authority if they have any support available, such as a freecycle or community school clothing scheme in your area.