A new £812 loan the Department for Work and Pensions has launched aims to help benefits claimants even more this year.
Those eligible do not need to pay the loan back straight away.
The DWP budgeting advances and loans can be used for one-off expenses such as replacing household appliances.
The DWP said: "A Budgeting Loan is interest-free so you only pay back what you borrow. The repayments will be taken automatically from your benefits.
"The amount you repay is based on your income — including any benefits you receive — and what you can afford. After you apply for a Budgeting Loan, you’ll get an email, text or letter telling you if you’ve been offered a loan. This explains how much your weekly repayments will be if you accept the loan."
It can also help with:
- Paying for rent in advance.
- Costs linked to moving house, maintenance, improvements, or security for your home.
- Travelling costs within the UK and those linked to getting a new job.
- Maternity and funeral costs.
It can help you repay hire purchase loans taken for the above items. If you get a budgeting advance, you'll get reduced Universal Credit payments until you've paid off what you borrowed. This will normally be over 12 months.
Here is everything you need to know.
Who is eligible for the loan?
You may be eligible for a Budgeting Loan if you claim certain benefits from the DWP. These include Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or Pension Credit.
You can apply for the cash if you have claimed the benefits for at least six months.
When do you pay the loan back?
In his spring statement and Budget, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said in March: "Nearly one million households on Universal Credit take out Budgeting Advance loans to pay for more expensive emergencies like boiler repairs or help to get a job.
"To help make such loans more affordable, I have today decided to increase the repayment period for new loans from 12 months to 24 months."
From December 2024, the repayment period on new Budgeting Advance loans will increase from 12 months to 24, making monthly payments lower.
