Universal credit advances

As the pace of the roll-out of universal credit continues to, um well, trundle along unconvincingly, Robbie has put together some information about UC advance payments, as well as a copy of what we’re led to believe is the most current and up-to-date guidance.

Universal Credit Advances

Any feedback appreciated, hope this is helpful folks.

While updating the UC Advances page, I’ve noticed that the guidance does not allow for the making of any of the three types of advance during the seven days in between the end of the assessment month and the pay day. This imposes a time limit that did not apply to the Advances’ predecessor, the crisis loan for alignment.

So it’s all well and good that there was an improvement in 2015 to the time limit within which claimants can apply for a UC advance (new claim) or a UC advance (change of circumstance): it is within 3 working days of the end of their assessment month and, for a benefit transfer advance, it’s at any time during their first assessment month.

But what if your wages/previous JSA/ESA, etc, run out during the seven days in between the end of the assessment month and the pay day? Is there a way to get an Advance during this time? Or is it just LWAS and food banks, etc?

I’ve been looking at your UC Advances page last week, Robbie.
It’s really useful.  Especially as it highlights that the Regs allow for max recovery rates of 15%/25% as opposed to the guidance which suggests 40% and set timescales of 6 months/12 months.

I’m very glad that info like this is available. Interestingly, there is still nothing whatsoever on gov.uk. Not a sausage.

And there is still nothing.

And there is still nothing on gov.uk.

There is still nothing on http://about.universalcredit.service.gov.uk/kms/Pages/Advance.htm

Mind you, there’s not much on the latter site at all.