You can apply for a Universal Credit advance:

• before you get your first payment

• if you are already being paid Universal Credit and have told us of a change in your circumstances that means you will be paid more Universal Credit but have not yet been paid the increased amount
  
  

To apply for a Universal Credit advance you can:

• speak to your Jobcentre Plus work coach

• apply through your online account

• call the Universal Credit helpline: 0800 328 5644

You may be able to get up to 100% of your estimated Universal Credit payment.

You must still repay an advance from future Universal Credit payments if you no longer get Universal Credit, such as from wages or other benefits you may be getting. However, if you apply for a formal insolvency debt solution the outstanding advance balance can be included.

If you apply for an advance online you will be shown on screen the repayment amounts for different repayment periods.

If you apply by phone, the Universal Credit helpline adviser assesses whether you can afford to repay the advance. If they agree to the advance, they will tell you over the phone:

• how much you can have

• the monthly repayment amounts

• when the first repayment is due

Deductions are made from your monthly Universal Credit payment. The first deduction is made on the day you get your first payment. You must usually pay back the advance within:

• 24 months if you apply for the advance on or after 12 April 2021 because you’ve made a new claim for Universal Credit

• 12 months if you applied for the advance before 12 April 2021 because you made a new claim for Universal Credit

• 6 months if you apply for the advance because of a change of circumstances
  
  

You can ask for your repayments to be delayed if you cannot afford them. Repayments can be delayed for:

• 3 months if the advance is for a new claim

• 1 month if the advance is for a change of circumstances
  
  

This is only allowed in exceptional circumstances.

You can defer loan payments for 3 months, or request lower payments later on through the debt management unit if suffering exceptional hardship, call: 0800 9160647.

You will need to explain why you can't afford essential bills such as food, heating and lighting. You may be asked for your income and expenditure.

You might be refused an advance if you:

• have not had your identity checked at the Jobcentre

• have enough money to last until your payment of Universal Credit

• live with parents, relatives or friends

• have any final earnings or redundancy payments

• have any accessible savings

You can ask for the decision to be reconsidered but you do not have a right to appeal.