Budgeting Advance

MC24

HI, Just seeking some of advice about a budgeting advance on Universal Credit. Ive been on it for over 6 months.
I tried to apply for one over the phone a few days ago as i needed a new bed, they rejected me as i live at home with my parents. The problem is, i pay rent to my parents and buy my own items so im confused as to what i can actually get a budgeting advance for. They said as i live with my parents, i cant get it for any furniture or white goods....is that correct?
I also need new shoes and clothes (i never buy any and have many clothes that are 10-12 years old now starting to come to the end of their life) but they also rejected that.
Im confused as to what the purpose of a budgeting advance is when someone in need cannot even be accepted for it, i dont know what to do
Any advice will be helpful
MC

calcotti

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-advances
"If you are already receiving Universal Credit you may also be able to get a Budgeting Advance to help pay for emergency household costs, for example, buying a new cooker or for help getting a job or staying in work."

MC24

calcotti said:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-advances
"If you are already receiving Universal Credit you may also be able to get a Budgeting Advance to help pay for emergency household costs, for example, buying a new cooker or for help getting a job or staying in work."

Thanks for your reply calcotti, so im assuming a bed doesn't qualify for that purpose. Im confused on the part where I was told, because I live with my parents, I would not qualify for any household goods claims - Is that correct? So what does exactly qualify?

its also confusing as many websites state household furniture and clothes as valid reasons but the advisor said it doesn't meet their criteria

wilfred30

If you live at home with your parents, may I ask why you need a new bed?

calcotti

Citizens Advice indicate clothing could qualify
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/on-universal-credit/budgeting-advance/
There is some official guidance here
http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2019-0465/Advances-_Budgeting_Advances_v2.0.pdf

MC24

wilfred30 said:

If you live at home with your parents, may I ask why you need a new bed?

The old bed was over 20-25 years old and had it since i was young. It is now at the end of its life. While i do live with my parents, i still have to pay them rent, buy my own food and pay for my own goods i need, including a bed.

MC24

calcotti said:

Citizens Advice indicate clothing could qualify
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/on-universal-credit/budgeting-advance/
There is some official guidance here
http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2019-0465/Advances-_Budgeting_Advances_v2.0.pdf

Thats the confusing part, it does say for clothes, furniture and white goods. Nowhere does it state that you cannot claim it if you live with your parents or family. Yet thats what i was told over the phone.
It seems as if the criteria the customer advisor on the phone has in front of them, is different to the one on the CAB website which confuses me. They would not tell me what does qualify and what does not as people would abuse the system which is understandable but it also stops people who urgently need funds to receive them.

wilfred30

MC24 said:

wilfred30 said:

If you live at home with your parents, may I ask why you need a new bed?

The old bed was over 20-25 years old and had it since i was young. It is now at the end of its life. While i do live with my parents, i still have to pay them rent, buy my own food and pay for my own goods i need, including a bed.

As the bed is part of your parents' home furnishings rather than yours, can't they buy you a new bed?

tomtom256

This is what the DWP use, https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/other-financial-support

CAB seem to be linking the budgeting loan criteria - https://www.gov.uk/budgeting-help-benefits

calcotti

tomtom256 said:

This is what the DWP use, https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/other-financial-support

CAB seem to be linking the budgeting loan criteria - https://www.gov.uk/budgeting-help-benefits

Curious that the House of Commons deposited paper http://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2019-0980/4._Advances_-_Budgeting_Advances_v5.0.pdf says

Budgeting Advances

Budgeting Advances provide valuable access to interest free payments for one- off items. They are designed to help claimants with irregular expenses, for example:

• obtaining or retaining employment such as work clothes, tools, travelling expenses and childcare costs
• buying essential household items such as furniture, cot, pram, appliances, clothing and footwear
• help with rent in advance or removal expenses to secure new accommodation
• improvement, maintenance and security of their home
• Funeral expenses

They are not intended to help pay for unexpectedly high household bills, for example – an electricity or gas bill.

which is somewhat more extensive than the link you have provided https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/other-financial-support

1. Budgeting Advance
   You might be able to get a Budgeting Advance to help with:

   • emergency household costs such as replacing a broken cooker

   • getting a job or staying in work

   • funeral costs

Hope DWP are not trying to mislead our MPs!

pmlindyloo

wilfred30 said:

MC24 said:

wilfred30 said:

If you live at home with your parents, may I ask why you need a new bed?

The old bed was over 20-25 years old and had it since i was young. It is now at the end of its life. While i do live with my parents, i still have to pay them rent, buy my own food and pay for my own goods i need, including a bed.

As the bed is part of your parents' home furnishings rather than yours, can't they buy you a new bed?

I have to agree with this.
You are paying rent to your parents and therefore should be treated, in effect, like a tenant.
At the very least, could they loan you the money and you pay it back?
If your parents are not financially able to afford a new bed are they on means tested benefits which would allow them to apply for a budgeting loan?
If a new mattress would suffice then Citizens Advice may know of a charity that can help.