Support available if your circumstances change

Universal Credit (UC) Advance if your payment is increasing

If you report a change in your circumstances and this means your Universal Credit amount will increase, you may be able to ask for an advance payment.  

This can help if you can’t afford to wait until your next monthly payment.  

For example, this might apply if:  

• You have a baby and your Universal Credit goes up.  
• Your partner moves out and you become a single claimant  
• You start paying rent and now qualify for housing costs.  

Remember, a Universal Credit Advance is a loan, and you must pay it back. It’s usually paid back from deductions in your future Universal Credit within 6 months.  

How much can I get? 

You can usually ask for up to 50% of the expected increase in your Universal Credit payment. 

E.g. Eamonn’s current monthly UC amount is £600. He reports a change of circumstance and is expected to increase his award by £120 per month. Eamonn can apply for a maximum change of circumstance Advance of £60, which is 50% of his expected increase.  

How do I apply? 

You can apply for a Universal Credit Advance by: 

• leaving a note in your Universal Credit journal 
• Speaking to your Work Coach at the Jobcentre Plus  
• Calling the Universal Credit helpline. 

You can expect to receive your Universal Credit advance within 3 working days. However, you might be able to get it quicker if there are exceptional circumstances.  

For more information on other support available to you, visit our Emergency Information guide.