Universal Credit claimants can get help with emergency household costs through a budgeting advance loan from the Department for Work and ().

For example, for you may be eligible if you need to replace your fridge or boiler, or for repairs to your home. You may also be awarded help if you need extra money related to your job, if you need to move, or for funeral costs.

But as this is a loan, it needs to be paid back through your future payments, normally over a period of two years. You're not charged interest on a budgeting advance.

The smallest amount you can borrow is £100, but you may be able to get up to £348 if you’re single, £464 if you’re in a couple, or £812 if you have children. The DWP will decide how much you will get.

You must have been getting Universal Credit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Income- related Jobseeker’s Allowance or Pension Credit for six months or more, to get budgeting advance.

You can be claiming benefits for less than six months if you need the money to help you with work. You'll also need to have earned less than £2,600 in the six months before your application, or £3,600 if you live with a partner.

If you have more than £1,000 in savings, your budgeting advance will be reduced by however much you have in savings over this amount. For example, if you have £1,100 in savings, your loan will be reduced by £100.

You cannot get a second budgeting advance if you have not paid off your first loan. has listed the following scenarios which could qualify you for a budgeting advance:

• Replace broken appliances

• Buy work uniform or tools

• Unexpected expenses

• Repairs to your home

• Travel expenses

• Maternity expenses

• Funeral expenses

• Moving costs or rent deposit

• Essential items

To apply for a budgeting advance, you can put a message in your Universal Credit online journal, contact your nearest jobcentre or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.

You will still need to repay your budgeting advance even if you stop claiming Universal Credit. The DWP can contact your employer or a debt collection agency to recover what you owe if you stop paying.

Universal Credit payments rose by 1.7% from this month. Universal Credit is made up of a standard allowance, which is the basic amount you get before any additional elements - for example, if you have children or are unable to work due to illness - or any deductions are taken into account.

Standard allowance

• Single under 25: £316.98 a month

• Single 25 or over: £400.14 a month

• Joint claimants both under 25: £497.55 a month

• Joint claimants, one or both 25 or over: £628.10 a month

Child element

• First child born before April 6, 2017: £339 a month
• First child born on or after April 6, 2017 or second child and subsequent child: £292.81 a month
• Disabled child element lower rate: £158.76 a month
• Disabled child higher rate: £495.87 a month

Limited capability for work

• Limited capability for work: £158.76 a month
• Limited capability for work or work-related activity: £423.27 a month

Carer element

• £201.68 a month

Work allowance

• Higher work allowance (no housing amount): £684 a month
• Lower work allowance (with housing amount): £411 a month

Childcare costs element

• Maximum for one child: £1,031.88 a month
• Maximum for two or more children: £1,768.94 a month

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