Budgeting Advance

Ray212

I am sure I have asked this before but the search is bringing back no results.

Anyway I have paid off a previous budgeting advance. I need to wait a few days before applying for another.

My question is I thought there was a number you had to ring but on this page it says to ask your work coach.

Do you ask your work coach now? Or do you still call a number?

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-advances#get-a-budgeting-advance

poppy123456

Yes, i believe you did ask this in a previous thread. If you don't currently have a work coach because you were found to have LCWRA then the quickest way is to ring the helpline. When you don't have a work coach you may not get a reply from anyone.

Seems like there's an issue with the search function again. You can check your past threads by clicking on the face at the top of the page, then click "discussions" this will then bring up your past threads.

Ray212

I did think I asked it before, thanks for clarifying. Yes search bought no results for anything.

Ok will give them a ring end of next week. Thank you

Jimm_Scope

Search seems to not be working too well @Ray212 sorry.

Though if you want to look at your past discussions you can open up your profile and go to "My Discussions" and it will list them all in chronological order. Much more of a rigmarole than using the search function I know, but just incase in the future you've more of a need to find a discussion of your own and the search function is still not working.

Hope you get your advance sorted!

Ray212

Thank you, will apply on Thursday and see what they say.

Ray212

Does anyone know the number for budgeting advance? I can't find one or is it just the universal credit helpline you call?

poppy123456

It’s the UC helpline number. 

Universal Credit helpline

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

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

Ray212

Thanks Poppy, thought it was a dedicated line. Will give them a call tomorrow.

poppy123456

You’re welcome. It does advise in the link you posted to ring the helpline. 

Ray212

Thanks, the link I posted though just says this :

How to apply for a Budgeting Advance

To apply for a Budgeting Advance contact your local Jobcentre Plus work coach.

poppy123456

Further up in the link it says..

How to apply for a Universal Credit advance

You can apply for a Universal Credit advance:

• before you get your first payment
• if you are already being paid Universal Credit and have told us of a change in your circumstances that means you will be paid more Universal Credit but have not yet been paid the increased amount

To apply for a Universal Credit advance you can:

• speak to your Jobcentre Plus work coach
• apply through your online account
• call the Universal Credit helpline

Applying through your online account

Choose the ‘apply for an advance’ section to apply for an advance online through your account .

You can only apply for an advance online if you are within your first Universal Credit assessment period and you have had an interview at the jobcentre. If you have passed your first assessment period you will need to apply by calling the helpline.

The part in bold, will be why you couldn't apply online. I realise it's a budgeting advance you're applying for but it's still the same process, apart from you can't apply online.

Ray212

Ah sorry I thought Universal Credit Advances and Budgeting Advances were different things as they had different sections. And it said you can apply for a Universal Credit advance "before you get your first payment". My mistake

Ray212

Anyway that being said I applied this morning by phone and it got approved though not for the full amount. Got just over half of what I should of being able to get, though think its because I still owe money to the social fund.

Anyway took two minutes so all done now. Thank you for all advice given

poppy123456

Usually you can't have another budgeting advance if you're still paying of a previous one. This doesn't include paying off a new claim advance payment. They do seem to be more difficult to get than a budgeting loan for the old legacy benefits. Glad it's sorted though and hopefully it will help get what you need.

Ray212

Yes I paid off the old budgeting advance last week. Hmm not sure, ah well its done anyway. Yes I can finally order what have needed for a few weeks now so happy about that