Universal Credit Advance Payment – How Long Does It Take to Go in Bank?

You may request a Universal Credit advance payment to help you get by while waiting for your first payment. Advance payments may request if your financial situation has changed and you expect your Universal Credit payments to grow.

Without upfront payment, you will not get any money for at least five weeks after applying for Universal Credit.

If you don’t believe you’ll have enough money to live on between applying and receiving your first payment, you should request an advance payment.

The advance payment is a loan; you must repay it, but you will not be charged interest.

Obtaining a cash advance

You may request an advance payment by contacting your job coach during your first Universal Credit interview, applying online, or phoning the Universal Credit hotline.

You can’t request an advance online or by phone until you’ve had your first Universal Credit interview – find out how to schedule your Universal Credit interview.

The DWP will notify you whether you are eligible for an advance payment – generally, on the same day you request it.

If the DWP agrees to an advance payment, you should receive it within three working days. Tell the DWP if you need it sooner; they may pay you the same day if you don’t have any other money.

The DWP will deposit the advance into the same bank account as your Universal Credit claim.

You may request up to a month’s worth of Universal Credit. You are not required to request your entire entitlement; you may ask less. If you feel you need more, you may request a second payment, but you must explain why. The total of the first and second payments cannot exceed your monthly allotment.

Monthly deductions from your Universal Credit will repay your advance. Inquire with your work coach about the number of conclusions. Discuss how much you may ask for with your job coach.

If you borrow an entire month’s payment, save some for rent. Rent is usually included in your Universal Credit payment and is not paid directly to your landlord.

If your interview has already taken place,

You may request an advance payment by calling the Universal Credit hotline or applying online. You have one month after applying for Universal Credit to make your request.

It is advisable to inquire as soon as possible. Getting your first payment after claiming Universal Credit will take five weeks. You’ll need to consider how much money you’ll need till your first payment.

Helpline for Universal Credit

• Phone number: 0800 328 5644
• Telephone: 0800 328 1744 (Welsh).
• 0800 328 1344 (textphone)

If you can’t hear or talk over the phone, call Relay UK and enter what you want to say: 18001, then 0800 328 5644.

Relay UK may access through an app or a textphone. There is no additional cost to utilise it. You can learn how to use Relay UK on the Relay UK website.

Using British Sign Language, you may utilise video relay (BSL).

On YouTube, you may learn how to utilise video relay.

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Calls from mobile phones and landlines are free.

Paying back the Universal Credit Advance Payment

The DWP will deduct repayments from your Universal Credit until you have paid off the advance. You must agree with the DWP on the amount of the rebates and the length of time it will take to repay them.

If you apply for an advance on or after April 12, 2021, you have 24 months to repay it. If you used it before, you might pay it back over 12 months.

If you can’t afford it, the DWP shouldn’t require you to pay it back sooner; notify your job coach if the repayments would cause you difficulty. If you like, you may request that it be paid back sooner.

If you are turned down for an advance payment,

If the DWP refuses to offer you an advance payment, you may request that they reconsider their decision. Additional paperwork or proof that your situation has changed since your initial request would be helpful.

If you’re trying to make ends meet, see if you can receive some additional aid.

If you are in debt or have fallen behind on your rent,

If you’ve just filed for Universal Credit, there are certain things you may do to assist you in lowering your debt consolidation loans.

You may also read our debt-management recommendations.

If you’re having financial difficulties,

Consider applying for financial aid from your local council or a government loan with no interest.

Your local council should assist you if you have a kid under 14 or a disabled youngster. If you are dealing with housing bills, they may pay your necessary living expenses or locate you elsewhere. GOV. The UK can help you find your local council.

Find out how you can seek aid from a food bank if you’re facing issues paying for food. Check to see whether your children are eligible for free school lunches.

If you’re having trouble meeting your expenses while waiting for your first Universal Credit payment, get advice from an advisor.

Conclusion

If you don’t have enough money to live on while you wait for your first payment, you may be eligible to request a Universal Credit payment advance. When you file a new Universal Credit claim, you will usually get your first payment seven days after your first assessment period.

Unless your payment date occurs on a weekend or a bank holiday, you will be paid monthly on the same day. You may request an advance payment of your Universal Credit if you are experiencing financial difficulty while waiting for your first payment, such as being unable to pay your rent or purchase food.

Suppose you no longer get Universal Credit, such as a wage or other benefits. In that case, you will be required to return the advance in instalments taken from your future Universal Credit payments.