What is a Short Term Benefit Advance?
A Short Term Benefit Advance could help if:
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You have made a new claim for a benefit but will be in financial need until you receive your first payment. (You must have been awarded the benefit or the decision maker considers that it is likely that you are entitled to the benefit)
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You have had a change in your circumstances that will increase the amount of benefit you are entitled to
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It is not possible to pay your benefit on the due date. This could, for example, be due to a technical problem in processing your claim or payment.
A short-term advance is paid as a loan. It has to be paid back out of your future benefit payments.
A short-term benefit advance is not the same as a budgeting loan or a budgeting advance. These are paid to help people to meet certain unexpected expenses.
Applies to: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales
Age rules: You must be aged 16 or over
Type of benefit: Means tested
Taxable: No
Administered by: Department for Work and Pensions