Budgeting Advance

Ray212
Ray212 Online Community Member Posts: 661 Empowering
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?



Comments

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    edited November 2023
    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
    Ray212 Online Community Member Posts: 661 Empowering
    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_Alumni
    Jimm_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,717 Championing
    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
    Ray212 Online Community Member Posts: 661 Empowering
    Thank you, will apply on Thursday and see what they say.
  • Ray212
    Ray212 Online Community Member Posts: 661 Empowering
    Does anyone know the number for budgeting advance? I can't find one or is it just the universal credit helpline you call?
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    edited November 2023
    It’s the UC helpline number. 
  • Ray212
    Ray212 Online Community Member Posts: 661 Empowering
    Thanks Poppy, thought it was a dedicated line. Will give them a call tomorrow.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    You’re welcome. It does advise in the link you posted to ring the helpline. 
  • Ray212
    Ray212 Online Community Member Posts: 661 Empowering
    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
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    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:

    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
    Ray212 Online Community Member Posts: 661 Empowering
    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
    Ray212 Online Community Member Posts: 661 Empowering
    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
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    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
    Ray212 Online Community Member Posts: 661 Empowering
    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 :)