Advance Payment on Universal Credit

[SpunBodgeSquarepants]

Due to DS turning 5 last week, I have had to apply for universal credit. However the first job centre appointment is able to get is the 14th and my rent is due on the 17th. Has anyone had any experience with asking for an advance payment, and how long did it take? Thank you

Once u have applied for universal credit, and its confirmed you qualify for it. Ring up for an advance and you should get payment same day x

@archie1175 how do I know its confirmed? I've got my first appointment booked. However I couldn't verify my identity online for some reason.

Theyl confirm at ur interview, also because youve been moved onto it thers no way u wont be eligible for it hun x

Advance payments are only available once ID and bank details are confirmed (and assuming no need for a residency test).

You can ring the UC service centre to ask for an earlier appointment if possible. However if it's still the 14th and assuming UD/bank verified ok, then you can request an advance to be paid on the same day.

I had an advance fairly recently, given before I;d gone to the first UC appointment.

I do recall that I got a page on the UC site telling me that usually they can't approve loans before your first appointment - but there was a box or link to click if you believed you couldn't wait until the first appointment. So I clicked on that, got a page saying they would consider my application, and assumed it would take a while to get a response. Went into my banking app immediately after this to check my child benefit had gone in - and the advance money was already in there! So it took a minute or two to get the money, which I have to say is a massive improvement on the old crisis loan system!

I suspect many people just see the message that they don't usually give advances before the appointment and don't read further. You do have to have verified your ID and got the appointment booked though.

I would try again with the ID verification if possible. It took me several attempts! If that fails, ring and ask for an earlier appointment.