If I was to apply for UC, could I get an advance payment before New Years?

Enigma16

Wasn't going to apply for Universal Credit, but decided to as after spending money for Xmas I need money. If I was to apply today for it, I hear I can get an advance payment. Would it be possible to get the money before New Years?

I understand the job centres close down during xmas weekend and early next week, but are running again a few days before New Years, so it's why I was hoping to get a payment and meet with an advisor before then. There could be a job for me with a friend of a family member come the new year, but i don't want to rely on that as there are rarely ever guarantees with anything, so would rather apply for UC and continue to apply for jobs in the meantime.

TELLIT01

Unlikely for a number of reasons. 1. I doubt the UC claim would be processed before Christmas given that there are only a couple of days to go. 2. There is a qualifying period before payment is made. 3. UC is paid monthly in arrears.
I'm not giving a categoric 'No', all you can do is get an application in as you definitely won't get any payment if you don't apply.

nannytone_2

TELLIT01 wrote: »

Unlikely for a number of reasons. 1. I doubt the UC claim would be processed before Christmas given that there are only a couple of days to go. 2. There is a qualifying period before payment is made. 3. UC is paid monthly in arrears.
I'm not giving a categoric 'No', all you can do is get an application in as you definitely won't get any payment if you don't apply.

also the OP wouldn't be paid for the first 7 days of any new claim dp rven if they claimed today it would be next tuesday before their entitlement began

TELLIT01

I don't know how the financial rules work on UC, but on IS and ESA it was possible to request a Short Term Benefit Advance if genuine hardship could be shown and payment wasn't yet due. There were very strict guidelines around such payments, including having no income from any other source. That could only be considered once is was certain that the customer did have a valid claim. Even if STBA might be available/appropriate in this claim, I doubt if the claim would be processed in time.

naturaljazz

I was offered the advance loan by my adviser. I can't see it being before new year though as the online application has to be completed and the 7 days wait and the advisers appointment for you to ask for the advance. I didn't take it so don't know how long that takes to process (took almost 8 weeks to get any money at all).

ukwmo

To get a UC advance payment you need to attend two appointments at the Job Centre, they're usually booked back to back. First is the NRD/ID appointment (where you supply ID, get your claim form checked and where they discuss payments), second is where you're introduced to your new claim adviser for the first time, talk about jobs, training, further education etc.

Once you attend those interviews you can call the service centre and apply for an advance payment. It's up to half the value of your first regular payment (which itself is normally paid in 6 or 7 weeks time ... probably February sometime in your case). The advance payment is repayable by deduction from future payments at a rate agreed between you and the Service Centre.

Advance payments are usually made same day. So, yes if you apply and get your appointments done & dusted either this week or next, you can apply for an advance payment and get it paid same day. But then there's a very long wait until the next payment is due.