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Original poster

Really struggling - Getting advance UC

32 replies

Nowherenew · 14/10/2023 12:46

A few years ago I took out an advance loan from universal credit to tide me over until I received my first UC payment.

This was paid back and I’ve been working since with a regular income.

I was still getting a top up of UC as my income was low.
I was getting around £1200 earnings and £300 UC top up every month (approx £1500).

My job was very demanding with long hours and stressful and decided it just wasn’t worth it for the amount of money I was getting, so I applied and was successful at getting a new job.

My job was supposed to start on X date but there was an issue and it basically hasn’t happened yet.

Last month my UC was £536 and this needed to last me for the month and as I wasn’t getting any other income (apart from CB) I could not pay my rent and I had to use a credit card to pay my utility bills.

About 3 weeks ago I asked for an advance but they said they couldn’t give me one.

I will get the full UC amount this month which is £1010 but I need to pay this months rent and last months rent (£350 per month) and it’s only going to leave me with about £300 for the rest of my utilities, petrol, food etc.

Does anyone know if I can get a second advance?

I asked 3 weeks ago and they said no and that it will come up on my online journal automatically and that they basically have no say it in but I’m really struggling for money and using my credit card to pay my bills is going to get me in debt.

OP posts:
dothehokeycokey · 14/10/2023 12:49

Why is there a months gap between jobs op?

Surely you didn't give one up until you had an official start date/contract with the new one?

DragonFly98 · 14/10/2023 12:53

dothehokeycokey · 14/10/2023 12:49

Why is there a months gap between jobs op?

Surely you didn't give one up until you had an official start date/contract with the new one?

The op clearly stated there was an issue with the start date.
Op use your money mostly for bills and get vouchers for a foodbank you can have 3 for the month most likely which will total 9 days of food.

Original poster
Nowherenew · 14/10/2023 13:03

dothehokeycokey · 14/10/2023 12:49

Why is there a months gap between jobs op?

Surely you didn't give one up until you had an official start date/contract with the new one?

I had an official start date and so I handed my notice in for the Friday before.

I gave my old workplace about 3 months notice and so they had already filled the position before I left and had someone shadow me.

I was then told a couple of days before that there had been an issue and the start date would be delayed and I couldn’t continue working at my old place as the position had already been filled.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nowherenew · 14/10/2023 13:04

DragonFly98 · 14/10/2023 12:53

The op clearly stated there was an issue with the start date.
Op use your money mostly for bills and get vouchers for a foodbank you can have 3 for the month most likely which will total 9 days of food.

Show quote history

I hadn’t actually thought about a foodbank and have never needed to use one but this would take a lot of pressure off.

Thank you.

OP posts:
dothehokeycokey · 14/10/2023 13:05

@Nowherenew

That's crap of the new place to it you in that position.

Can you ask your local council about discretionary rent payments?

I know our council has that option so don't know if it's the same where you are.

Also food bank?

And you can get energy vouchers depending on which supplier your with as a lot of them have a fund

AnotherEmma · 14/10/2023 13:12

Contact your local Citizens Advice; they can give you a food bank voucher and talk to you about other possible sources of support. If you have a prepayment meter for energy you could get a fuel voucher - if you have a credit meter there might be other sources of help. There's the Household Support Fund although that's not usually fast (in my area it takes ages, although the team at Citizens Advice has a fast track route).

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/#h-find-your-nearest-citizens-advice

UC claimants are due to get a cost of living payment of £300 but that's between 31 October and 19 November so not hugely helpful in the immediate term. However, you could use it to pay off your credit card if you've had to use it.

Contact us

How you can contact Citizens Advice.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/#h-find-your-nearest-citizens-advice

AnotherEmma · 14/10/2023 13:15

Are you a council/HA tenant or a private tenant?
i wonder if you could talk to your landlord and ask to pay the arrears in 2 instalments ie £175 this month (when you get your UC) and £175 next month?

Original poster
Nowherenew · 14/10/2023 13:17

dothehokeycokey · 14/10/2023 13:05

@Nowherenew

That's crap of the new place to it you in that position.

Can you ask your local council about discretionary rent payments?

I know our council has that option so don't know if it's the same where you are.

Also food bank?

And you can get energy vouchers depending on which supplier your with as a lot of them have a fund

I asked about the discretionary housing payment but I wasn’t allowed it because when my UC is worked out it adds up all of the things I’m entitled to (which includes rent) and then takes off my earnings.

So they said that I was not eligible because my UC covers my rent.

Which it did as I got £559 which would cover my rent but that payment was also for all of my other bills and expenses.

I will look into my energy supplier, as I’m finding my electric the hard to find the money for as it has gone up a lot.

Really struggling - Getting advance UC
OP posts:
Original poster
Nowherenew · 14/10/2023 13:18

AnotherEmma · 14/10/2023 13:12

Contact your local Citizens Advice; they can give you a food bank voucher and talk to you about other possible sources of support. If you have a prepayment meter for energy you could get a fuel voucher - if you have a credit meter there might be other sources of help. There's the Household Support Fund although that's not usually fast (in my area it takes ages, although the team at Citizens Advice has a fast track route).

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/#h-find-your-nearest-citizens-advice

UC claimants are due to get a cost of living payment of £300 but that's between 31 October and 19 November so not hugely helpful in the immediate term. However, you could use it to pay off your credit card if you've had to use it.

That’s good to hear I will receive £300 as that will be really helpful, as even when I start work the first 4 weeks will be difficult until I get paid properly.

I will contact citizens advice too.

OP posts:
Original poster
Nowherenew · 14/10/2023 13:21

AnotherEmma · 14/10/2023 13:15

Are you a council/HA tenant or a private tenant?
i wonder if you could talk to your landlord and ask to pay the arrears in 2 instalments ie £175 this month (when you get your UC) and £175 next month?

Yes I’m a council tenant and tbh I’ve been ignoring their letters saying I owe last months rent, as I was hoping I could get an advance payment from UC and get up to date with my rent but I’m going to ring them on Monday and explain my circumstances and ask if I can pay my arrears off over the next couple of months like you say.

OP posts:
TwilightSkies · 14/10/2023 13:23

You could also check if there’s a Community Fridge in your area. Food that’s left over from local supermarkets, past it s sell-by date but within its use-by date. Free to use.

AnotherEmma · 14/10/2023 13:23

Nowherenew · 14/10/2023 13:21

Yes I’m a council tenant and tbh I’ve been ignoring their letters saying I owe last months rent, as I was hoping I could get an advance payment from UC and get up to date with my rent but I’m going to ring them on Monday and explain my circumstances and ask if I can pay my arrears off over the next couple of months like you say.

Show quote history

Great, yes always a good idea to talk to them and explain the reason for the delay. Hopefully there won't be an issue Smile

eandz13 · 14/10/2023 13:24

Have a look at your local Credit Union, you can get small loans (usually around £500 I think) that are repaid out of a portion of your CB per week/month.

Babyroobs · 14/10/2023 14:24

I'm pretty sure that is correct - you cannot get another advance. people can certain criteria ( very low income) which you probably wouldn't.
You could possibly apply for discretionary housing payment form your council if you have rent arrears but whether they would pay it when you gave up a job prematurely I don't know but may be worth a try.

AnotherEmma · 14/10/2023 14:31

No DHP is not an option because the housing element of UC covers OP's rent in full.

The issue is that the remaining UC payment didn't cover OP's other expenses for that month.

Babyroobs · 14/10/2023 14:32

AnotherEmma · 14/10/2023 14:31

No DHP is not an option because the housing element of UC covers OP's rent in full.

The issue is that the remaining UC payment didn't cover OP's other expenses for that month.

Aah yes of course. thanks.

Bromptotoo · 14/10/2023 14:54

OP is between a rock and a hard place. In previous eras DHSS might have been willing to advance crisis funds but that went c2012.

Replacement was Local Welfare Assistance delivered by the top tier council but that started as a postcode lottery and got worse. Several councils, Northamptonshire was one, jacked it in altogether.

Unless they can find something like that OP's only option seems to be to accept something goes by the wall, is open with creditors as to why and can negotiate a resolution once she's earning.

quitequietly202 · 14/10/2023 16:40

Nowherenew · 14/10/2023 12:46

A few years ago I took out an advance loan from universal credit to tide me over until I received my first UC payment.

This was paid back and I’ve been working since with a regular income.

I was still getting a top up of UC as my income was low.
I was getting around £1200 earnings and £300 UC top up every month (approx £1500).

My job was very demanding with long hours and stressful and decided it just wasn’t worth it for the amount of money I was getting, so I applied and was successful at getting a new job.

My job was supposed to start on X date but there was an issue and it basically hasn’t happened yet.

Last month my UC was £536 and this needed to last me for the month and as I wasn’t getting any other income (apart from CB) I could not pay my rent and I had to use a credit card to pay my utility bills.

About 3 weeks ago I asked for an advance but they said they couldn’t give me one.

I will get the full UC amount this month which is £1010 but I need to pay this months rent and last months rent (£350 per month) and it’s only going to leave me with about £300 for the rest of my utilities, petrol, food etc.

Does anyone know if I can get a second advance?

I asked 3 weeks ago and they said no and that it will come up on my online journal automatically and that they basically have no say it in but I’m really struggling for money and using my credit card to pay my bills is going to get me in debt.

Yes you can, but it's called a budgeting advance. I've had one every year for the last 3 years (the last one being a few weeks ago) and they reduce my UC to pay it back. I just explained that my children needing new schools uniforms for September and my washing machine being broken down had created a big strain on my finances in that particular month. The will usually give it to you only if the previous loan has been completely repaid.

dothehokeycokey · 14/10/2023 16:46

@Nowherenew

Don't ignore them

Call them up on Monday and explain the situation to them.

Ask if you could possibly pay more each month to catch up with the shortfall so you won't be left without heating or food.

I think most council or housing associations now have to deal with this and as long as they see your paying and not ignoring them theyl help

caringcarer · 14/10/2023 16:54

What is the difference between getting a UC loan and putting food on your credit card. They are both debts so I don't see any difference. Hopefully the new job will be more hours/more pay so you can repay the credit card quickly. I think you usually get a month before it gets put on so no interest for a month.

Lizzt2007 · 14/10/2023 17:06

Op I'm a little confused, if your uc was reduced last month then you received wages, so you should have had wages as well as uc to cover your bills and rent, if this is your first month without wages, which it appears to be as you say you'll receive full uc this month, then I don't understand why you only had your uc to pay rent and bills, what happened to your wages for that period ?

AnotherEmma · 14/10/2023 17:08

quitequietly202 · 14/10/2023 16:40

Yes you can, but it's called a budgeting advance. I've had one every year for the last 3 years (the last one being a few weeks ago) and they reduce my UC to pay it back. I just explained that my children needing new schools uniforms for September and my washing machine being broken down had created a big strain on my finances in that particular month. The will usually give it to you only if the previous loan has been completely repaid.

Show quote history

OP was earning £1200/month so she is not eligible for a budgeting advance. You're only eligible if you've earned less than £2600 total in the last 6 months.
https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/already-claimed/help-emergency-costs/

Understanding Universal Credit - Help with emergency costs

Find out how to get help with emergency costs if you're on Universal Credit. Budgeting Advances - who can get them, what you'll get and repayments.

https://www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/already-claimed/help-emergency-costs/

AnotherEmma · 14/10/2023 17:31

Something else has occurred to me, @Nowherenew. Are you already claiming Council Tax Reduction? If not, you should put in a claim - and backdate it to the day after you got your final pay from your previous job, if you can. You'll be eligible for full CTR while you're not earning. Obviously when you start the new job you'll need to tell them to update (and maybe close) the claim.

Original poster
Nowherenew · 15/10/2023 14:17

Lizzt2007 · 14/10/2023 17:06

Op I'm a little confused, if your uc was reduced last month then you received wages, so you should have had wages as well as uc to cover your bills and rent, if this is your first month without wages, which it appears to be as you say you'll receive full uc this month, then I don't understand why you only had your uc to pay rent and bills, what happened to your wages for that period ?

My last pay from work was the 31st August and so I paid my rent and all bills in August (I pay my rent at the end of each month).

In September, I was paid £532 from UC but had no money from work so this £532 was to last me from the 20th September to the 20th October.
And so I didn’t pay my rent in September.

I will get more money (£1010) on 20th October as they can see that I had no earnings in September, as they work it out for the previous 4 weeks.

I hope that makes sense.

OP posts: