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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:
Original poster
Nowherenew · 15/10/2023 14:25

Thank you for everyone’s advice.

It really has helped me so much. It’s so difficult when you have no one to talk to about these things and I’ve been sticking my head in the sand because it’s been stressing me out.

I was told I couldn’t get another advance but I will ring them up tomorrow and explain and hope I can.

I will also ring my rent and utilities and explain, instead of getting myself in trouble.

The difference between getting an advance/budgeting loan and putting it on my credit card is because although you have to pay both of them back, you don’t pay interest on the budgeting loan.

So if I borrow £500 then I’d just pay that back in instalments, whereas I’d end up paying more back on a credit card and potentially getting into debt.

When I start work I will also not get paid for 4 weeks and in that time will need to still pay my bills and pay petrol etc on top and so I’ll probably need to use my credit card for that too and it wouldn’t be possible to pay it all back in one go and id have to pay it back bit by bit.

I think I’m already getting the CT reduction but I will double check this just in case.

OP posts:
AnotherEmma · 15/10/2023 14:35

"I was told I couldn’t get another advance but I will ring them up tomorrow and explain and hope I can."

I'm sorry but you're not eligible for another one. The only way you'd be eligible would be if you'd earned less than £2600 in the last 6 months.

Your best bet is to contact your local Citizens Advance, get a food bank voucher and ask about other help eg HSF, energy grants, charitable funds etc.

Babyroobs · 15/10/2023 14:49

Nowherenew · 15/10/2023 14:25

Thank you for everyone’s advice.

It really has helped me so much. It’s so difficult when you have no one to talk to about these things and I’ve been sticking my head in the sand because it’s been stressing me out.

I was told I couldn’t get another advance but I will ring them up tomorrow and explain and hope I can.

I will also ring my rent and utilities and explain, instead of getting myself in trouble.

The difference between getting an advance/budgeting loan and putting it on my credit card is because although you have to pay both of them back, you don’t pay interest on the budgeting loan.

So if I borrow £500 then I’d just pay that back in instalments, whereas I’d end up paying more back on a credit card and potentially getting into debt.

When I start work I will also not get paid for 4 weeks and in that time will need to still pay my bills and pay petrol etc on top and so I’ll probably need to use my credit card for that too and it wouldn’t be possible to pay it all back in one go and id have to pay it back bit by bit.

I think I’m already getting the CT reduction but I will double check this just in case.

You cannot get another advance - they are only given for new claims or if your UC is set to go up for some reason eg you have added another child. It doesn't sound like you would be eligible for a change of circumstance advance. As above you won't qualify for a budgeting loan either as you have likely earned too much in the last 6 months.

endlesslystandingonlego · 15/10/2023 14:51

UC are telling claimants in my area to apply to Glassdoor grants for the essential living fund. Claimants have to be referred in by a professional (CA/support worker/HV etc).
Your local CA might have access to it - it doesn't seem to be a blanket thing for all CA.

Check local council's website for local food clubs and any other food schemes in your area.

Help through hardship is Trussel Trust/CA National helpline for TT food bank referrals www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/help-through-hardship-helpline/

Does your area have household support? The current scheme will probably end at the end of the October, so worth check quickly. Again, your local CA will know.

If you are on pre paid meters, your supplier may be able to help as a loan, or there are voucher schemes out there.

(Other advice agencies are available 😄)

DragonFly98 · 15/10/2023 17:06

Have a look here at interest free credit cards
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/best-0-credit-cards/

AnotherEmma · 15/10/2023 22:09

What are your biggest outgoings, OP?
Your rent is relatively low and I wonder what your other big expenses are. How much is your gas/electricity, do you have arrears you're paying off? Do you have a car on finance? Any other big outgoings?
What about child maintenance, do you get anything?

Concannon88 · 21/11/2023 02:17

You cant get it if youve earnt £2000 in the last 6 months

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