Other Financial Support

Universal Credit Advance payment

There will be a waiting period between your old benefits ending and your first Universal Credit payment you won’t get any money until at least 5 or 6 weeks after you apply for Universal Credit.

If you need help to pay your bills or cover other costs while you wait, you can request an advance payment from Universal Credit.

You should ask for an advance payment if you do not think you’ll have enough money to live on between when you apply and when you’ll get your first payment.

The advance payment is a loan. You will have to pay it back, but you won’t need to pay any interest. The repayments will be automatically deducted from your Universal Credit payments until the advance is fully paid back. This will take several months, and you’ll get less money until then.

Personal budgeting support

Personal budgeting support will be offered to you when you make a claim for Universal Credit. You should let your work coach know, at your Universal Credit interview, if you think you need personal budgeting support.

Budgeting Advance

If you need financial support, you may be eligible for a Budgeting Advance. Visit the GOV.uk website for more information

Discretionary Housing Payments

If the level of housing costs you receive in your Universal Credit payment is not enough to cover your rent, you can apply for a Discretionary Housing Payment.

Council Tax Reduction Benefit

If you want help paying your Council Tax you will need to apply for Council Tax Reduction.