People on Universal Credit may be able to access extra support
More than 8.4 million people throughout Great Britain are currently receiving Universal Credit, with numerous households still battling to cover rent, food and energy bills despite benefit rises last month.
Those experiencing financial hardship may be eligible for additional assistance through programmes provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), local authority grants and emergency funds that many claimants are unaware even exist.
Certain types of assistance require repayment via future Universal Credit instalments, while others do not. Listed below are some of the principal hardship programmes and financial support opportunities available to those on Universal Credit.
Budgeting Advances
Those claiming Universal Credit may be eligible to request a Budgeting Advance to assist with covering emergency or unforeseen expenses, reports the Daily Record.
This can include help paying for:
- furniture or household items
- work-related expenses
- rent in advance
- emergency travel costs
- replacing essential appliances
The sum available is determined by individual circumstances, including whether someone is single or has children.
What you can get
What you get will depend on how much you need. 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
Budgeting Advances carry no interest but must be repaid via future Universal Credit instalments.
To be eligible, claimants typically need to have been in receipt of Universal Credit for a minimum of six months, though certain exceptions exist. Complete information on Budgeting Advances is available on GOV.UK.
Hardship Payments
Individuals whose Universal Credit instalments have been cut due to a sanction may still be eligible to request a hardship payment. These payments exist to assist people in meeting essential living expenses when they’re unable to afford necessities such as food, heating or hygiene products.
Hardship payments aren’t issued automatically and typically must be applied for. According to DWP guidance, claimants generally need to demonstrate they or a member of their household would experience hardship without the payment. The funds usually require repayment. You can read the full guide to Universal Credit hardship payments on GOV.UK.
Discretionary Housing Payments
Those having difficulty paying rent may qualify for additional support via a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP).
Local councils administer these payments and they can assist people who receive Housing Benefit or the housing component of Universal Credit.
DHPs may help people facing:
- rent shortfalls
- benefit cap pressures
- housing support reductions
- temporary financial difficulties
Eligibility criteria differ according to the council and personal circumstances. Comprehensive information is available on MYGOV.SCOT for Scottish claimants and GOV.UK for those residing in England.
Household Support Fund and local welfare assistance
Numerous councils across Scotland and England run local welfare programmes or emergency support funds.
Support available can include:
- supermarket vouchers
- fuel vouchers
- emergency cash payments
- help with white goods
- school clothing grants
In England, assistance is frequently delivered via the Household Support Fund.
Universal Credit new claim advances
Brits submitting a new Universal Credit claim may also be eligible to request an advance payment while awaiting their first full payment. Universal Credit is normally paid monthly in arrears, meaning many new claimants face a wait of around five weeks for their first scheduled payment.
Advance payments are designed to help people manage during that period.
However, the money must be repaid through future Universal Credit payments. Comprehensive information about Universal Credit advance payments is available on GOV.UK.
Citizens Advice urges people struggling financially to get help as soon as possible, as some hardship schemes and local support funds have limited budgets or time restrictions. A full guide to Universal Credit can be found on the Citizens Advice website here.
