More than six million people in the UK are on Universal Credit, meaning they could be eligible for this extra cash support.
Millions of Brits could be eligible for a little-known payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of £617.60 “in advance”. In certain cases people in receipt of Universal Credit could be eligible for a month’s worth of the money ahead of time.
This is meant to cover any essential payments that you are unable to make, such as food or rent. Depending on your standard rate of Universal Credit, you could get £617.60.
And some households could also be entitled to extra if they meet certain criteria. The Government website explains: “If you don’t have enough to live on while you wait for your first payment you may be able to get an advance of your first Universal Credit payment.
“When you make a new claim for Universal Credit you will normally receive your first payment seven days after the end of your first assessment period. You will then be paid monthly on the same date, unless your payment date falls on a weekend or Bank Holiday.
“You can apply for an advance payment of your Universal Credit if you are in financial hardship while you wait for your first payment, for example, if you can’t afford to pay your rent or buy food.”
However, it is important to know that this is a loan and will eventually need to be repaid, either deducted from future Universal Credit payments or out of wages or other benefits.
“You will need to pay back your advance a bit at a time from your future Universal Credit payments, or by other means if you no longer get Universal Credit, for example, from your wages or other benefit you may be getting,” Gov.uk says.
According to Government data, around 6.4 million people in the UK are on Universal Credit. You get one standard allowance for your household.
The monthly standard allowance for Universal Credit is as follows:
- If you’re single and under 25 – £311.68
- If you’re single and 25 or over – £393.45
- If you live with your partner and you’re both under 25 – £489.23 (for you both)
- If you live with your partner and either of you are 25 or over- £617.60 (for you both).
But you may get more money on top of your standard allowance for the following circumstances:
- If you have children
- If your child has a disability
- Childcare costs
- If you have a disability or health condition
- If you care for someone who gets a health or disability-related benefit
- Housing costs.
To apply for a Universal Credit advance you can speak to your Jobcentre Plus work coach, apply through your online account, or call the Universal Credit helpline. For more information, visit gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-advances.
