The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is offering extra cash to Universal Credit claimants who are struggling to pay their bills this winter.
Advanced payments could help those who claim the benefit to tide themselves over this month, with almost six million people across the UK receive the extra cash to help with living costs, reports My London.
People could be eligible if they are on a low income, out of work or cannot work. The DWP have explained how people can claim the advance payment on their website.
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The advice includes how to claim, what criteria you need to fulfil to get the money, what the requirements are and how it will be paid back. It is crucial to be aware of how the money is paid back, to avoid a shock later on down the line.
Before taking out any advanced payments it's important to make sure you have planned ahead for the next steps. Here is how to claim an advanced payment, and how to pay it back.
How much advanced payment can I claim?
The most money you can get on advanced payment is the amount of your first estimated payment. This means that you might not get a huge amount of money - just enough to tide yourself over.
It's to help people who are newly signed up to Universal Credit who need urgent help until that first payment drops. You can apply for the advanced payment online, or through your Jobcentre Plus work coach.
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What do I need to do to claim?
You’ll need to:
explain why you need an advance
verify your identity (you’ll do this when you apply online or on the phone with a work coach)
provide bank account details for the advance (talk to your work coach if you cannot open an account)
You'll usually find out the same day if you can get an advance. The cash must usually be paid back within two years, and claimants will start to repay it from their first payment.
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