How Many Times Can You Get an Advance on Universal Credit?

Universal Credit is designed to support people with their living costs while they’re looking for work, on a low income, or unable to work.

However, waiting for the first payment can cause financial strain. This is where advance payments come in.

But how many times can you actually receive an advance on Universal Credit? Let’s break it down.

What Is a Universal Credit Advance and Who Can Apply?

Universal Credit advances provide financial support to claimants who need help before their first official payment or during an unexpected crisis. These advances are treated as loans and are repaid from future Universal Credit payments.

To apply for an advance, a claimant must:

Be actively claiming Universal Credit
Have passed identity verification
Demonstrate financial need or hardship
Be unable to wait until the first payment is due

Advances can help cover essential living expenses, job-related costs, or emergency household repairs.

The process involves contacting the Universal Credit helpline, updating the claimant’s journal, or speaking to a Jobcentre Plus contact.

Eligibility is not guaranteed. It depends on the claimant’s financial situation, savings, income, and existing outstanding advances.

How Many Times Can You Request a Universal Credit Advance?

The number of times a claimant can receive an advance on Universal Credit depends heavily on the type of advance, their current repayment status, and their individual financial circumstances.

There are two primary categories of advances that people frequently ask about in terms of repeat eligibility: New Claim Advances and Budgeting Advances.

New Claim Advance – One-Time Support per Claim

A New Claim Advance is typically available once per Universal Credit claim. Its purpose is to provide financial support during the initial five-week wait for your first Universal Credit payment.

Because this advance is designed as a bridging loan for the waiting period, the DWP usually allows it only once when a new claim is submitted.

In limited circumstances, a second New Claim Advance may be considered, but only if:

The claimant did not take the full amount initially available
Their financial situation changes drastically before the first payment
They are still within the five-week waiting period

Even in these exceptions, the total amount across all advances cannot exceed the estimated value of your first Universal Credit payment.

Therefore, even if a second advance is granted, it would only top up the original advance amount, not exceed your entitlement.

Budgeting Advances – Multiple Applications Possible with Conditions

Budgeting Advances are more flexible and can be requested multiple times over the course of a Universal Credit claim, subject to a few important limitations:

You can’t have an unpaid or ongoing Budgeting Advance when applying for a new one. The first advance must be repaid in full or substantially before a second is considered.
Your earnings in the past six months must be below a specific threshold (£2,600 for individuals and £3,600 for couples).
The total amount borrowed must not exceed your maximum entitlement based on household circumstances.

Claimants often use Budgeting Advances for:

Emergency costs such as replacing white goods or furniture
Unexpected bills or travel expenses for work
Funeral-related expenses

The DWP reviews each application on a case-by-case basis, considering previous repayment behaviour, outstanding debt, and current hardship.

If the first advance has been well-managed and repaid according to schedule, a second or even third advance may be approved.

How the DWP Decides on Repeat Advances

Several factors influence whether you can request an advance more than once:

Outstanding repayments: You are unlikely to be approved if you haven’t repaid a prior advance.
Eligibility at the time of reapplication: Even if you were eligible previously, circumstances must still align with criteria at the time of the new request.
Purpose of the advance: The DWP considers whether your reason for applying is valid and urgent.
Maximum loan cap: Advances cannot exceed your maximum allowable amount (based on household size and circumstances).

Repeat advances are not guaranteed, but if your financial need is justified and previous repayments have been consistent, it’s entirely possible to apply again.

What Types of Advances Are Available on Universal Credit?

Universal Credit offers several types of advance payments to support claimants in different financial situations.

Each type has a specific purpose, eligibility criteria, and application process. Understanding these distinctions is essential for claimants to choose the most appropriate support.

1. New Claim Advance

This is the most common type of advance, offered to those who have recently submitted a new claim for Universal Credit and are in financial hardship during the five-week waiting period.

Key features:

Usually available once per claim
Can be up to 100% of your first estimated Universal Credit payment
Repaid over a maximum of 24 months

To apply, claimants must provide:

A clear reason for needing the money early
Identity verification
Bank account details
Information about any savings or income

New Claim Advances help cover essentials such as food, rent, utilities, and other living costs while waiting for your first payment.

2. Budgeting Advance

A Budgeting Advance helps cover one-off or emergency costs, particularly for those who have been on Universal Credit or another qualifying benefit for at least six months. However, you can still qualify earlier if the advance will help you start or stay in work.

Common uses for Budgeting Advances:

Replacing broken appliances (e.g. cooker, fridge)
Paying for work uniforms or travel to interviews
Funeral expenses
Emergency household repairs

Amount available:

Circumstance	Maximum Advance
Single claimant	£348
Couple	£464
Claimants with children	£812

Eligibility criteria:

You must have received qualifying benefits for at least six months unless the money is needed to get into work
Your earnings must be under the threshold in the past six months
No outstanding Budgeting Advance loan

Repayment is through regular Universal Credit deductions over up to 24 months. The DWP assesses affordability before approval.

3. Change of Circumstances Advance

If your circumstances change mid-claim, for example, if you’ve had a baby, moved house, or lost a source of income, and that change results in a higher Universal Credit entitlement, you may request an advance of the new amount.

These are:

Usually short-term
Assessed based on the new entitlement
Subject to the same repayment structure as other advances

This type of advance is less common but useful when a significant change in your situation occurs.

4. Hardship Payment

Hardship Payments are designed for claimants whose Universal Credit has been reduced due to a sanction or fraud penalty and who are struggling to afford essentials.

To qualify for a hardship payment:

You must prove that you’re unable to afford essential costs like food, heating, and hygiene
You must have taken steps to reduce non-essential spending
You must show that you’ve looked into other support options

Additional criteria apply if the reduction is due to a sanction. For example, you must complete any assigned work-related activities or “compliance conditions” in the seven days before applying.

Hardship Payments are recoverable, meaning they must be repaid through reduced future Universal Credit payments. You need to reapply every time a payment is missed or reduced due to a sanction.

How to Decide Which Advance to Apply For?

Choosing the right type of advance depends on your situation:

Situation	Recommended Advance
New to Universal Credit	New Claim Advance
Need money for emergency costs	Budgeting Advance
Universal Credit reduced due to sanction	Hardship Payment
Change in circumstances increases UC	Change of Circumstances Advance

Each advance addresses a specific need. Applying for the appropriate one not only increases your chances of approval but ensures you’re getting the most relevant financial support.

How Does the Repayment Process Work for a Universal Credit Advance?

Repayment is structured and typically begins from the next Universal Credit payment after the advance is issued. The advance is deducted in instalments until fully paid.

Here is a comparison of repayment details for different types of advances:

Advance Type	Repayment Period	Repayment Method
New Claim Advance	Up to 24 months	Automatic deductions from UC payments
Budgeting Advance	Up to 24 months	Deducted monthly from UC payment
Hardship Payment	Until repaid	Taken from future payments at a lower rate

If the claimant stops receiving Universal Credit, repayment is managed through DWP Debt Management. They may contact the claimant directly to arrange payments or continue deductions from other benefits if applicable.

Can You Apply for More Than One Type of Advance?

A claimant can receive more than one type of advance, though not all at the same time. For example, it is possible to receive a New Claim Advance and, after becoming eligible, apply for a Budgeting Advance.

However, claimants:

Cannot receive multiple Budgeting Advances at the same time
Must repay existing advances before applying for another
Must not exceed their maximum entitlement limit based on their circumstances

Here is a simplified view of how the different advances interact:

Advance Type	Can you Request Again?	Conditions
New Claim Advance	Rarely	Only one per new claim, exceptions possible
Budgeting Advance	Yes	Must repay the previous advance first
Change of Circumstances	Yes	Triggered by changes in personal situation
Hardship Payment	Yes	Must reapply with each sanctioned payment

The total combined value of advances must not exceed the claimant’s estimated Universal Credit entitlement.

What Are the Alternatives If You’re Denied a Second or Third Advance?

In some cases, claimants may not qualify for additional advances due to outstanding balances, eligibility issues, or maximum entitlement limits. If that happens, other financial support may be available.

Some alternatives include:

Local Welfare Assistance from the local council
Budgeting Loans for those receiving legacy benefits
Financial aid from charities or non-profit organisations
Short-term borrowing from credit unions with lower interest rates

These options are worth exploring, especially for those who are not in a position to repay another advance comfortably.

How Can You Apply for a Universal Credit Advance More Than Once?

Claimants may reapply for a Budgeting Advance once a previous advance has been mostly or fully repaid. Reapplication is not automatic and requires the claimant to go through the application process again.

To apply for another advance, claimants should:

Use the online Universal Credit journal to make the request
Speak directly with their work coach or Universal Credit contact
Call the Universal Credit helpline at 0800 328 5644

It’s important to clearly explain why the advance is needed and demonstrate financial need. The DWP may request information about income, savings, and any support already received.

What Should You Consider Before Taking Another Universal Credit Advance?

Although advances can be a useful financial tool, claimants should consider the long-term impact before applying again.

Key points to think about:

Reduced monthly payments due to ongoing deductions
Longer repayment periods when multiple advances are stacked
Pressure on budgeting due to lower benefit amounts
Alternative sources of support that may not need repayment

It’s advisable to review your budget and consult with a financial advisor or support service like Citizens Advice if you’re unsure.

What Support Is Available If You’re Struggling to Repay Your Advance?

If repayments are too high or causing hardship, claimants can request adjustments. The DWP allows repayment terms to be reviewed and amended under certain conditions.

Support options include:

Asking for the repayment amount to be reduced
Requesting a repayment deferral for up to three months
Getting debt support through services like StepChange or Citizens Advice

Applications to change repayment terms can be submitted through the claimant’s online journal, by contacting a work coach, or by calling the Universal Credit helpline.

If the claimant is no longer receiving Universal Credit, repayments will continue through other means. The DWP will reach out directly or may continue deductions from new benefits if applicable.

How Do Universal Credit Advances Affect Long-Term Benefit Payments?

Taking an advance affects future payments as deductions are made until the full amount is repaid. This can make it more difficult to manage daily living expenses, especially for low-income households.

Budgeting may become tighter as monthly Universal Credit payments are reduced. For instance, if a claimant receives a £348 advance and repays it over 24 months, around £14.50 will be deducted from each payment. That reduces the available funds for essentials like rent, food, and utilities.

Planning ahead and exploring non-repayable alternatives can sometimes be more beneficial than taking another advance.

Conclusion

Taking an advance on Universal Credit can be essential during times of crisis, especially while waiting for your first payment or dealing with unexpected expenses. However, it’s crucial to understand the rules, limitations, and long-term consequences.

While you can receive multiple Budgeting Advances, you’ll need to meet strict eligibility criteria and ensure you’re managing repayments well. As for New Claim Advances, they’re generally limited to one per claim so plan accordingly.

If you’re unsure, speak to your work coach or seek financial guidance before applying again.

FAQs About Universal Credit Advances

Can you get a second Budgeting Advance if you haven’t paid off the first one?

In most cases, you must have fully or mostly repaid your first Budgeting Advance before you can apply for another. The DWP will assess your eligibility on an individual basis.

How long does it take to receive a Universal Credit advance?

If approved, advances are usually paid the same day or within a few working days. This ensures claimants can access urgent financial support quickly.

What’s the maximum amount you can get as a Budgeting Advance?

You can receive up to £348 if single, £464 as a couple, or £812 if you have children, depending on your financial circumstances and existing repayments.

Can Universal Credit advances be written off or forgiven?

No, Universal Credit advances must be repaid in full. Even if you stop receiving UC, the DWP will contact you to arrange repayment.

What happens if you don’t repay your advance on time?

DWP will continue to collect the debt either from your ongoing benefits or through alternative arrangements. Non-payment can result in debt collection procedures.

Can you get an advance if you’ve been sanctioned?

Yes, in some cases. You may be eligible for a hardship payment if your Universal Credit has been reduced due to a sanction, but strict conditions apply.

Is there a credit check for Universal Credit advances?

No, Universal Credit advances are not subject to credit checks. Eligibility is based on your need, repayment ability, and existing benefit entitlements.

Related Links:

How Many Times Can You Get an Advance on Universal Credit?

What Is a Universal Credit Advance and Who Can Apply?

How Many Times Can You Request a Universal Credit Advance?

New Claim Advance – One-Time Support per Claim