If you need help to pay your bills or cover other costs while you wait for your first Universal Credit payment, you can apply to get an advance.
The most you can get as an advance is the amount of your first estimated payment.
How to apply
You can apply for an advance payment in your online account or through your Jobcentre Plus work coach.
You’ll need to:
- explain why you need an advance
- verify your identity (you’ll do this when you apply online or on the phone with a work coach)
- provide bank account details for the advance (talk to your work coach if you cannot open an account)
You’ll usually find out the same day if you can get an advance.
If you need help
Call the Universal Credit helpline if you need help applying for an advance payment.
How you pay back your advance
You must usually pay back the advance within 24 months. You start paying it back out of your first payment.
Example
Your first estimated payment is £344 and you get £344 as an advance.
You pay back your advance over 24 months, which is £14.33 per month. You’ll get £329.67 on your first payment date - this is your first payment minus the bit you’re repaying (£344 minus £14.33).
Read more about getting a Universal Credit advance.
