How Many Times Can You Get an Advance on Universal Credit?

If you need extra money while claiming Universal Credit, you can get more than one advance, but only depending on the type of advance you apply for.

A New Claim Advance is usually available once when you first claim. A Change of Circumstances Advance can be paid more than once if your entitlement increases again.

A Budgeting Advance is much stricter because you can only have one at a time and must repay it before applying again.

Key highlights:

• New Claim Advance: usually once per claim
• Change of Circumstances Advance: available more than once
• Budgeting Advance: one active loan only
• All advances are loans repaid from future Universal Credit payments
• You can apply through your online journal, work coach or the Universal Credit helpline

Understanding these rules is important because taking the wrong type of advance, or borrowing too much, can reduce your future monthly payments for months afterwards.

What Is a Universal Credit Advance and Why Might You Need One?

A Universal Credit advance is an early payment offered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if you cannot wait for your next Universal Credit payment. It is designed to help when you are facing urgent costs or financial hardship.

Most people need an advance while waiting for their first Universal Credit payment, which can take up to five weeks. Others may need help after a major life change, such as moving home or having a child.

Existing claimants can also apply for a Budgeting Advance if they need to pay for an essential one-off cost, such as a cooker, washing machine or work-related travel.

However, an advance is not free money. It is a loan that will be deducted from your future Universal Credit payments.

Can You Get More Than One Advance on Universal Credit?

Yes, you can get more than one advance on Universal Credit, but not in the same way for every type of advance.

The main confusion comes from people assuming that all Universal Credit advances follow the same rules. In reality, each one has different limits.

Type of Advance	How Many Times Can You Get It	Main Rule
New Claim Advance	Usually, once per claim	A top-up may be possible before the first payment
Change of Circumstances Advance	More than once	Each request must be linked to a new change
Budgeting Advance	One at a time	You must fully repay the first one before another

This means you could potentially receive all three different types of advance during the same Universal Credit claim, provided you meet the conditions for each one.

What Are the Different Types of Universal Credit Advance?

Universal Credit does not offer just one type of advance. Instead, there are three different advance payments available, depending on where you are in your claim and why you need extra money.

Some advances are designed to help while you wait for your first payment, while others are meant for changes in your circumstances or essential one-off expenses.

Understanding the difference is important because each type of Universal Credit advance has its own rules about who can apply, how much you can receive and how many times you can get it.

What Is a New Claim Advance?

A New Claim Advance is for people who have recently applied for Universal Credit and cannot manage financially while waiting for their first payment.

Since the first payment normally arrives after five weeks, many people use this advance to pay for rent, food, bills and travel.

You can usually borrow up to the amount of one month’s expected Universal Credit payment. In most cases, you can only receive one New Claim Advance.

However, if your circumstances change before your first payment is finalised, you may be able to ask for a top-up.

What Is a Change of Circumstances Advance?

A Change of Circumstances Advance is available if something happens that increases the amount of Universal Credit you should receive, but you have not yet received the higher payment.

This might happen if you:

• Move into more expensive accommodation
• Have a child
• Become responsible for childcare costs
• Start caring for someone

Unlike a New Claim Advance, you can apply more than once for this type of advance. Each request must relate to a different change in your circumstances.

What Is a Budgeting Advance?

A Budgeting Advance is for people who have already been receiving Universal Credit for at least six months and need help with a one-off essential expense.

Typical reasons include replacing a broken fridge, paying for work clothes, or covering a rent deposit when moving house. You can only have one Budgeting Advance at a time, even if you later face another emergency.

How Many Times Can You Get a New Claim Advance on Universal Credit?

You can usually get a New Claim Advance only once for each Universal Credit claim. Once your first full Universal Credit payment has been made, you cannot apply for another New Claim Advance.

There are limited situations where you may be able to receive extra money before your first payment. For example, if your Universal Credit entitlement increases after your original request because you report a new child or housing cost, the DWP may allow a top-up.

A Jobcentre work coach described the rule this way:

“A New Claim Advance is generally a one-off payment. The only exception is where the claimant’s expected entitlement changes before the first payment is issued.”

A second separate New Claim Advance is rarely approved and would normally require exceptional circumstances and authorisation from a team leader.

When Can You Apply for Another Change of Circumstances Advance?

A Change of Circumstances Advance is much more flexible. There is no fixed limit on how many times you can receive one, as long as each request relates to a new event that increases your entitlement.

For example, you may move into a larger rented property and receive one advance because your housing costs increase.

Several months later, you may have a child and become entitled to more Universal Credit again. In that situation, you could apply for another Change of Circumstances Advance.

The important point is that the change must be genuine, reported to Universal Credit and accepted by the DWP before the advance can be approved.

Real-time Example:

I spoke to one claimant while researching this article, and her experience shows how this works in practice. She had already received a New Claim Advance after losing her job.

Six months later, she moved into a new flat with a higher rent and applied for a Change of Circumstances Advance. A few months after that, she became responsible for childcare costs and was able to apply again.

She told me:

“I thought once I’d had one advance, that was it. My work coach explained that because my circumstances had changed again, I could apply for another one.”

Why Can You Only Have One Budgeting Advance at a Time?

Budgeting Advances work this way because the Department for Work and Pensions aims to prevent people building up too much debt through repeated borrowing.

If you already owe money on a Budgeting Advance, you cannot get another one until the first is fully repaid. This applies even if your new expense is different.

For example, if you used an advance for a washing machine and later your cooker broke, you would usually need to clear the first loan before applying again.

The DWP has said:

“Only one Budgeting Advance can be active at any time. This helps keep repayments affordable and prevents claimants taking on more debt than they can manage.”

This catches many people out because they assume that every new emergency qualifies them for another payment. In practice, it means you should think carefully before borrowing and only request the amount you really need.

What Happens If You Already Have an Advance and Need More Help?

If you already have an advance under Universal Credit and need more help, your options depend on the type of advance you have.

• New Claim Advance: You may be able to request a top-up if your expected payment increases before your first Universal Credit payment.
• Change of Circumstances Advance: You might qualify for another advance later if your situation changes again and your entitlement rises.
• Budgeting Advance: You cannot apply for another until the existing one is fully repaid.

If another advance is not available, the Department for Work and Pensions may suggest alternative support, such as local welfare schemes, food banks, or help with housing costs.

Overall, it is important to explore all available support options if you are still struggling financially.

Which Expenses Are Covered by a Budgeting Advance?

A Budgeting Advance is only meant for essential one-off expenses. The DWP is strict about what counts as an acceptable reason.

Allowed Expenses	Expenses Not Normally Allowed
Furniture and white goods	Food and groceries
Work clothes and travel costs	Gas and electricity bills
Rent deposit or moving costs	Regular rent payments
Funeral expenses	Paying off debts
Home repairs and security improvements	Everyday living costs

You may also be able to use a Budgeting Advance for items such as a bed, cooker, fridge or washing machine. In some situations, travel costs to start a new job or childcare equipment may also be approved.

Applications are often refused when the cost is considered part of normal day-to-day living. For example, the DWP does not usually approve Budgeting Advances for food, council tax, utility bills or general household spending.

How Do You Apply for an Advance on Universal Credit?

There are three main ways to apply for a Universal Credit advance:

• through your online Universal Credit journal
• by speaking to your work coach at the Jobcentre
• by calling the Universal Credit helpline

When you apply, you will need to explain why you need the money, how much you want to borrow and what the money will be used for. You will also need to provide bank details and agree to the repayment terms.

Who Qualifies for a Budgeting Advance?

To qualify for a Budgeting Advance, you usually need to have been receiving Universal Credit, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance for at least six months.

You also need to meet earnings limits. Over the previous six months, your earnings must be below:

• £2,600 if you are single
• £3,600 if you are part of a couple

You will not qualify if you already have an unpaid Budgeting Advance. The only exception to the six-month rule is where the money is needed to help you start work or stay in work.

How Much Could You Receive from a Universal Credit Advance?

The amount you can receive depends on the type of advance. For a New Claim Advance or Change of Circumstances Advance, you can usually borrow up to the amount of one month’s expected Universal Credit payment.

Budgeting Advances have fixed maximum amounts:

• £348 for a single claimant
• £464 for a couple
• £812 if you have children

The minimum amount is normally £100.

How Long Does It Take to Get the Money?

Most Universal Credit advances are paid within three working days. In urgent situations, especially where you are waiting for your first payment and have no money at all, the DWP may arrange a same-day payment.

Delays are more likely if your identity has not been checked, if you have not explained clearly why you need the money, or if the DWP needs more evidence.

How Are Universal Credit Advances Repaid?

Repayments for a Universal Credit advance are automatically taken from your future monthly payments.

Most advances are repaid over up to 24 months, which helps keep deductions manageable. For example, borrowing £240 could mean repayments of £10 per month.

If the deductions feel too high, you can ask the Department for Work and Pensions to reduce them through your journal, by phone, or via your work coach.

• Repayments are deducted monthly from your Universal Credit
• You can request lower deductions if needed
• You must still repay the advance even if your claim ends

Overall, it is important to plan ahead, as the advance is a loan that must always be repaid.

Conclusion

The number of times you can get an advance on Universal Credit depends entirely on the type of advance. A New Claim Advance is usually available once per claim, although a top-up may sometimes be possible.

A Change of Circumstances Advance can be claimed more than once if your entitlement increases again. A Budgeting Advance is limited to one active loan at a time.

Before applying, remember that every advance reduces your future Universal Credit payments. Borrow only what you need and consider other support options if you are already repaying an advance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you get a second Universal Credit advance while repaying the first one?

Yes, but only in some cases. If you have a Change of Circumstances Advance, you may be able to apply again later. If you have a Budgeting Advance, you must repay it first.

Is there a limit to how many Change of Circumstances Advances you can get?

No. There is no set limit as long as each request relates to a separate change that increases your Universal Credit entitlement.

Can you get a Budgeting Advance for furniture or white goods?

Yes. Items such as a fridge, cooker, bed or washing machine are among the most common reasons for a Budgeting Advance.

What happens if your Universal Credit advance is refused?

You can ask the DWP to reconsider the decision. Refusals usually happen because you do not meet the eligibility rules or have not provided enough information.

Will taking an advance reduce your future Universal Credit payments?

Yes. Every advance is repaid through deductions from your future Universal Credit payments.

Can you ask for a smaller repayment amount if you are struggling?

Yes. If repayments are causing hardship, contact the DWP and ask for lower monthly deductions.

What should you do if you need urgent money but cannot get another advance?

You may be able to get help through your local council, a food bank, a Discretionary Housing Payment or another hardship scheme.