Universal Credit claimants urged to check if they can get extra help from DWP | Personal Finance | Finance

The Budgeting Advance is essentially a loan that people will have to repay through their usual Universal Credit payments.

The smallest amount people can borrow is £100. If someone is single then they could get up to £348, if in a couple its £464, and if people have children they can get £812.

In order to qualify, people will have needed to have earned less than £2,600 in the last six months, which is £3,600 for couples, and must have paid off any previous Budgeting Loans they have received.

On its website, the DWP then listed the other financial support which may be available to those claiming Universal Credit.

This includes help with housing costs such cheaper social tariffs for broadband and mobile phone services, discretionary housing payments if someone’s Universal Credit is not enough to pay their rent, a reduction in their council tax bill, and a cap on water bills if someone uses a water meter.

The DWP also state that people could be able to claim the Cold Weather Payment and Disabled Facilities Grants.

It adds that people could also be able to get help from the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).