Support during the five week wait in Scotland

You can ask for a Universal Credit advance while you’re waiting for your first payment.  

It is a loan which you must pay back from your future Universal Credit payments, usually over 24 months.  

How much you can get will depend on your UC entitlement, but you can get up to 100% of your estimated amount.  

You can only claim a UC advance during your first Assessment Period, and you’ll normally receive it within three working days of requesting it.  

You can request an Advance Payment by:

• Speaking to your Jobcentre Plus work coach
• Requesting one in your online Universal Credit account   

Calling the Universal Credit Helpline:

• Telephone 0800 328 5644 
• Textphone 0800 328 1344 

You might be able to get support while you wait for your first Universal Credit claim through the Scottish Welfare Fund.

The Scottish Welfare Fund has two grants available:

• A Crisis Grant to cover the costs of an emergency 
• A Community Care Grant to help people with extra needs to live independently.

To get this support you must be on a low income and have below a certain amount in savings and be able to demonstrate your need.

You can apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund by contacting your local council.

Applications may be made face to face, on the phone, via on-line applications or by downloading and posting a form, depending on if your local council allows it.

Most councils will tell you the outcome of your application for a Crisis Grant within 2 working days, and within 15 working days for a Community Care Grant. 

If you disagree with the decision, you can request a review.  

You might be able to get support through the Flexible Support Fund, to help with extra costs associated with getting into and starting work. This could include support with travel expenses to attend an interview, or money to pay for clothing to start work.

The flexible Support Fund is discretionary, so you don’t have to pay it back. You also don’t have an automatic right to it if you qualify and no set amount of money can be given.

It depends on your situation, circumstances and needs.  

To get access to the Flexible Support Fund, you should speak to your Work Coach or an adviser at your local Jobcentre Plus.

You will need to tell them what you need the money for and give evidence that you cannot pay for the items yourself. 

There might be other support available to you if you get Universal Credit and meet certain criteria

• Budgeting Advance - if you have been X
• UC Recoverable Hardship Fund - of you have been sanctioned

Visit our Emergency Information guide for other support options.