Ukrainians in the UK: how to get an interest-free loan of up to £812.

According to The Sun: Households receiving Universal Credit should be aware of one-off payments of several hundred pounds that can help cover urgent expenses.

A budgeting advance is a form of payment provided to benefit recipients to cover necessary purchases, such as replacing a broken refrigerator.

This money can provide support in emergencies or help pay for essential items.

The advance is interest-free, so you only repay the amount you received. Generally, the money needs to be repaid within 24 months.

You can apply for a budgeting advance to cover the following expenses:

• One-off purchases - for example, replacing a broken refrigerator
• Work-related expenses - for example, buying uniforms or tools
• Unexpected expenses
• Repairs to your home
• Travel expenses
• Costs related to pregnancy
• Funeral expenses
• Moving costs or paying a deposit for rent
• Essential items like clothing

The amount you can receive depends on several factors, and the minimum you can borrow is £100.

Single individuals can receive up to £348, while couples can get up to £464.

The maximum amount available for people with children is £812.

However, it is not always guaranteed that you will receive this payment.

Firstly, you must have been receiving Universal Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, or State Pension Credit for at least six months.

There is an exception if you need money to start a new job or to support employment.

You also cannot receive a payment if your income exceeded £2,600 in the last six months or £3,600 if you are a couple.

You will not be eligible for payment if you have not repaid previous advances, as you can only have one loan at a time.

You can apply for a budgeting advance by calling the Universal Credit helpline at 0800 328 5644.

A consultant will assess your ability to repay the loan - checking if you have debts and how much you owe.

The helpline operates Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, and you usually receive a response the same day.

You can also apply through your online account or contact a Jobcentre Plus employment center.

Repaying the advance

You will need to repay the funds received, but no interest will be charged on them.

The amount will be deducted from your Universal Credit payments, and repayment will last for two years, starting from your next payment.

For example, if you received an advance of £240 and repay it over 24 months, £10 will be deducted from your payment each month until it's fully repaid.

If you cannot afford to repay the advance, you can ask for a reduction in the amount you pay.

Call the Universal Credit helpline or the Jobcentre helpline.

Do you have financial problems that need addressing? Write to us at email [email protected].

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