Budgeting Advance

Ray212

Can you request a budgeting advance if you get LCWRA ? If so who do you speak to on your journal. Is it leave a message for my work coach? 

Sounds silly but doing that won’t trigger anything will it?

I currently have a budgeting advance that is very nearly paid off but something has come up so would like to pay that off and apply for another. I am aware it may not be granted however. 

poppy123456

You will need to ring UC helpline to request this. However, you need to wait until you've paid the existing one off and for it to show on the system before they will allow another. I don't know how long that actually takes.

It will not trigger a review for a WCA if that's what you're worried about.

Applying for a budgeting advance

You'll need to apply for your budgeting advance over the phone. To decide if you're eligible, and how much you can get, an adviser will look at:

• whether you can afford to pay the loan back - they'll see if you have any debts and how much you owe to help work this out
• how much you have in savings

You'll normally get a decision on the same day.

Universal Credit helpline

Telephone: 0800 328 5644
Telephone (Welsh language): 0800 328 1744
Textphone: 0800 328 1344

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/on-universal-credit/budgeting-advance/

Ray212

Ok thank you

I thought you had to apply for a budgeting advance through the journal. That’s what I had to do last time. Has it changed now? Or has it always been like that? 

Hannah_Scope

Hello @Ray212

I see Poppy has been able to advise You didn't say what you needed the advance for and wondered if it was something that could be covered by a grant, maybe look at Turn2Us? I hope that helps if applicable!  

poppy123456

You can only apply over the phone because there's no where on your journal for you to request it. Please see the link i posted above.

Ray212

Many thanks

It’s for a washing machine and bed

Hannah_Scope

You may also find support from the End Furniture Poverty campaign? 

Ray212

Hi, thank you, I will take a look at those links. I know it sounds a bit stupid but I prefer the loan as I struggle with ocd and I need to be selecting what I get, unfortunately that's not possible when things are given to you. For which I think is an amazing service people do of course, just I struggle with it. It's easy to select things I want then I know I am happy in my mind.

Jimm_Scope

Let us know how you get on @Ray212. Have you tried seeing if your local council can offer any support at all with a grant?

I definitely understand wanting to pick exactly what you want, and I know that can often clash with the kind of support that is given. Many places prefer to just give items than reimburse and/or give a grant.

Ray212

I have already had the household support fund for this year. The washing machine packed up a few days ago and the bed I have needed for a month or so.

I am thinking of just paying off what I owe them which is next to nothing at the moment then waiting a week or so and applying. I can't see why I wouldn't get another one to be honest. Its exactly what it's there for. Used to be so much easier than this though, used to be able to apply on line without having to give reasons etc

poppy123456

Ray212 said:

 Used to be so much easier than this though, used to be able to apply on line without having to give reasons etc

That only applies to the legacy benefits such as Income Related ESA/JSA and Income Support.

Ray212

Yeah I know, was a much easier system unlike this faff

2oldcodgers

I don't know what the loan limit is for UC claimants but for a Budgeting Loan it is about £470 (couple no children). You certainly wouldn't be able to get a new washing machine AND a bed with that amount.

poppy123456

2oldcodgers said:

I don't know what the loan limit is for UC claimants but for a Budgeting Loan it is about £470 (couple no children). You certainly wouldn't be able to get a new washing machine AND a bed with that amount.

It’s the same for a budgeting loan and advance. See link above. 

• £348 if you're single without children
• £464 if you're in a couple without children
• £812 if you have children

Ray212

Would be £812 for me then