With Universal credit Grants, it is replacing 6 other benefits with a single monthly payment if you’re out of work or on a low income – eligibility, how to prepare.
Other financial support
If you’re in financial difficulties, you can get help and advice from the government, local councils and other organisations.
Advance and hardship payments
If you do not have enough to live on while you wait for your first payment you can ask for an advance payment after you’ve made a claim.
You can also ask for a hardship payment if you cannot pay for rent, heating, food or hygiene needs because you got a sanction.
You need to pay it back through your Universal Credit payments – they’ll be lower until you pay it back.
Alternative Payment Arrangements
If you’re having financial difficulties or you’re behind on your rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA).
Depending on your circumstances, you could get an APA to:
- get your rent paid directly to your landlord
- get paid more frequently than once a month
- receive split payments, if you’re part of a couple
Speak to your work coach to apply for an APA.
Budgeting Advance
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’ll repay it through your regular Universal Credit payments – these will be lower until you pay it back. If you stop getting Universal Credit, you’ll have to repay the money in another way.
How much you can borrow
What you get will depend on how much you need – you’ll agree the amount with your work coach.
The smallest amount you can borrow is £100. You can get up to:
- £348 if you’re single
- £464 if you’re part of a couple
- £812 if you have children
Eligibility
To get a Budgeting Advance, all of the following must apply:
- you’ve been getting Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance or State Pension Credit for 6 months or more, unless you need the money to help you start a new job or stay in work
- you’ve earned less than £2,600 (£3,600 together for couples) in the past 6 months
- you’ve paid off any previous Budgeting Advance loans
How to apply
To apply, you can do any of the following:
- update your journal in your Universal Credit account
- contact your nearest jobcentre
- call the Universal Credit helpline
Universal Credit helpline
Telephone: 0800 328 5644
Textphone: 0800 328 1344
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 328 5644
Video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users – check you can use this service
Welsh language: 0800 328 1744
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges
Other benefits you can claim
If you want to claim a benefit without your savings, your partner’s savings or their income being taken into account, you can apply for either:
Use a benefits calculator to find out what other benefits you could get, for example Personal Independence Payment if you’re disabled.
Other financial support you might get
If you receive Universal Credit you may be able to get other payments too.
You might be able to get different support in Scotland or different support in Wales.
Help with housing costs and bills
You might be able to get:
- BT Home Essentials (or KCOM Flex Packages if you live in the East Riding or Hull City Council local authority areas and you have no income)
- a Cold Weather Payment
- Disabled Facilities Grants
- Discretionary Housing Payments if your Universal Credit payment is not enough to pay your rent
- Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Affordable Warmth
- a reduction in your Council Tax
- WaterSure to cap your bills if you have a water meter
You can get advice on reducing your energy bills from:
- Simple Energy Advice – in England and Wales
- Energy Savings Trust Scotland – in Scotland
- Bryson Energy – in Northern Ireland
Help if you’re pregnant or have a child
You might be able to get:
- free early education for 2 year olds
- free school meals
- Healthy Start vouchers (in England and Wales) if you’re pregnant or have a child under 4 years old
- Best Start Foods and a Best Start Grant (in Scotland) if you’re pregnant or have a child under 4 years old
- a Sure Start Maternity Grant in England and Wales
- a Pregnancy and Baby payment in Scotland
- free early education for 2 year olds
- free school meals
- Healthy Start vouchers (in England and Wales) if you’re pregnant or have a child under 4 years old
- Best Start Foods and a Best Start Grant (in Scotland) if you’re pregnant or have a child under 4 years old
- a Sure Start Maternity Grant in England and Wales
- a Pregnancy and Baby payment in Scotland
Browse: Benefits
- Manage an existing benefit, payment or claimSign in to your account, report changes, find out about overpayments, or appeal a decision. Includes existing Universal Credit and tax credits claims.
- Benefits and financial support if you’re looking for workHelp if you’re looking for a new job, are out of work or affected by redundancy. Includes Universal Credit and Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).
- Benefits and financial support if you’re temporarily unable to workHelp if you’re unable to work because you’re ill or self-isolating. Includes Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
- Benefits and financial support for familiesHelp if you look after children or plan to have or adopt a child. Includes Child Benefit.
- Benefits and financial support if you’re disabled or have a health conditionHelp if you’re living with a health condition or disability. Includes Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
- Benefits and financial support if you’re caring for someoneHelp if you regularly spend time caring for someone. Includes Universal Credit.