If I pay back universal budgeting loan back a month early how long until I can take another out?

[justanothermanicmonday21]

I have one payment left on my universal credit budgeting loan, I am really struggling with money, if I pay this payment back tomorrow would I be able to take another budgeting loan this week to help with my living costs and get myself straight?

Wouldn't having your full UC payment every month be more useful though? It would help you budget far better to have more coming in regularly than a lump sum followed by less. Or is there something specific you need a lump sum for right now?

I think you can get one as soon as it's paid off

I just am short this month - struggling having the kids off as my food bill has increased and a larger energy bill, I also had to renew my car insurance so I had to make the upfront payment this week (but then won't have a payment until sept) and my landlord increased my rent as contract renewed so had to find an extra £50 with a weeks notice. I've been paying off a previous loan at £50 a month so I won't notice the difference if that makes sense plus I will only need to borrow half the amount I did before so I'll probably be better off, just need the one off payment to rebalance what I've had to pay out this month and perhaps have a bit of a buffer so this doesn't happen again!

As long as your rent isn't above the maximum for your area/size of property, and you're not subject to the benefit cap, the extra £50 rent should be included in your UC. Make sure you tell them asap, as the increase will apply to the full assessment period, not just from the date it started. Put a note on your journal asap!

You can check the max you can get for housing costs here checker lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/

My rent was £150 over the cap already and is now £200 over the cap so don't think I'll get any help with that! My rent used to be expensive but now it's really cheap as houses round here have sky rocketed in covid and houses the same are about £4/500 over the cap give or take the odd one that's below but well below living standard too or just very lucky but single mum doesn't get first choice

Try applying for a discretionary housing payment through your local council. Also consider applying for help though the household support fund for your council. Both are not paid back and may help you manage rather than taking on a new debt.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/household-support-fund-guidance-for-local-councils

www.gov.uk/government/publications/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments/claiming-discretionary-housing-payments

I did apply for the household support but I think because I am working I wasn't a priority and I was put onto a waiting list and haven't heard back since...

I looked into the discretionary housing fund before they said about talking to the landlord to negotiate the rent etc as it wouldn't be paid long term and I am worried them getting in contact with my landlord and pushing for him to lower it as if he gave me notice I would be absolutely stuffed and we really like the house and area it's perfect position for the kids schools etc.

Have you had the cost of living payment? That should be £324 paid by the end of 31st July for most.

Have you checked you're getting all the benefits you're entitled to?

Would you consider foodbanks or community larders?

Budgeting loans are meant for specific items so you may find you are refused one anyway if your need is to meet daily requirements rather than a one-off item.

Yes I had the cost of living payment last month but I stupidly paid that off my energy bill as thought that was what it was for? When my energy supplier went bust last year I had a big bill come through so I am about £800 in debt on my account so been trying to pay it down so that took a big chunk off, I have been paying a little over what I'm using but because that's so high at the moment it hasn't been much and i was wary of agreeing to too much as food and petrol costs have increased so much. I wish I could just ditch the car as that would save me a lot of money but without it I can't physically be where I need to for work/school runs etc it's kind of essential especially being alone with the kids.

I am pretty sure I'm getting what I'm entitled to, I work so have my wage and get universal credit to top up and help with house costs etc. the childrens dad doesn't pay maintenance but that's an ongoing issue and it's already logged with CSA, hopefully by the end of the year they will have a deduction on earnings but it takes a long time then he changes jobs and the process starts all over again so even if he did pay I couldn't rely on it!

I am going to ring universal credit tomorrow I think and ask their advice, I don't want to pay £50 in advance if I then won't be able to get help as that will just make it worse. If worst comes to worst I could ask family for help till the end of the month but I just don't want to and want to do it myself as I find it so embarrassing and frustrating.

I have never used a food bank before, I think I would be again to embarrassed to ask for help unless I literally didn't have food for the kids but somehow I've always managed to wing it and get through, food shops on PayPal etc so it takes a couple of day to debit my account so never got that far.

It’ll wouldn’t be available as soon as you pay it off, it’ll take time to update. Would you fit the criteria for requesting a budgeting advance?

I'm not sure it does say for rent advances and household costs on the website, I hadn't even realised there was a criteria!

How long will it take to update so you think if I call up?

You can only get another loan if you have earnt below £2600 from wages in the last 6 months. SO if you have earned over £433 each month you will not be able to apply.

@justanothermanicmonday21 hi did you end up doing this? how long did this take to clear and did you get another one? thank you