UC Budgeting Advance

[Bishopsgirl]

Dh and I have had a joint UC claim for 4 years. He is in the support group and receives contributions based ESA
We also get PIP and Carers Allowance as dh is disabled and I'm his full time carer, our only child is an adult and neither dh or I have any income from working. We've had a run of bad luck financially recently, ancient car failed it's MOT and cost me £700 to get back on the road. Last night my boiler broke and the plumber has just quoted £500 to fix it which I do not have. We now have no heating or hot water. I've noticed that UC offer Budgeting Advances, does anyone know anything about these and if I would be eligible? I am currently £600 overdrawn using my overdraft as I had to pay for the car bill and apart from that I have a £4000 loan with Zopa that I pay off every month and I have working tax credit arrears which I owe about £1200 on and I pay £10 per month back out of UC. We actually only come away with £259 per month UC as ESA and Carers is deducted. Do you think I am eligible for the Budgeting Advance and, if so, would we be able to borrow the full £464 it mentions for a couple? Also, do they lend it for boiler repairs? We aren't eligible for the boiler grant scheme as our house energy rating is a B. I'd be very grateful for any advice.

@Bishopsgirl apply for a discretionary support grant. The number is online and u can do it over the phone. And athe grant u don't have to pay back. U can apply every three years, for essentials, even if Ur on pip or carers. Seems like ud be more than eligible.🤗🤗🤗

I think you would be eligible for a UC budgeting loan as it is for people who have earned below a certain amount in the last six months ( sorry can't remember exact figures). If you have no earnings then I imagine you would definitely qualify. Would you be better off looking into the motobility scheme assuming dh's PIP qualifies him and because you say your car is ancient so the same thing may keep happening ? Hope you manage to get some help. You can also ring UC debt management and ask them to consider reducing the payments for the WTC overpayment.

Thank you both so much for the replies. Some great information!

Just wanted to give an update. I phoned UC this morning and they couldn't have been nicer. Just asked how much I wanted and what it was for and they immediately granted me an advance of £450 which I will have deducted from my UC payments over the next 12 months. I'm updating in case anyone searching for information finds this thread in the future!

Great news .