On disability benefits but need a credit card

capybaralover85

Hello,

Im needing to make a purchase of approximately £1000 but I am disabled and myself and my partner get Universal Credit and I get PIP. I’m trying to look into credit cards but I’m getting myself tied up in knots, is it possible to get a credit card on benefits and if so which ones are likely to accept me? I have a credit score of 569 on Clearscore, my partner does not work as he is my carer but we do not claim carers allowance as it is taken £ for £ off the UC so we don’t see the point. If anyone can advise me I would be most grateful.

Thankyou!

molerat

Why do you "need" the credit card to make this purchase ? If it is to spread the payments then credit cards are generally a fairly expensive way of borrowing unless you can get a 0% offer. Have you checked the MSE credit club credit card eligibility checker ?

capybaralover85

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81911541#Comment_81911541

hi molerat, thankyou for your reply. I need to buy car parts to fix my car and I have no savings nor the ability to borrow from anyone else. I’ll check the credit club credit card checker now, thankyou x

ManyWays

If you have been on UC for more than 6 months, you may be able to get a budgeting loan. This is interest free. It would not cover the full 1000 but may mean you need to pay less on a credit card which is likely to be expensive.

https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit-advance-hardship-payment/unexpected-costs

itsthelittlethings

Do you claim the carers element of UC? You will be entitled to that I believe.

CliveOfIndia

Your credit score is irrelevant, it pays no part whatsoever in a lender's decision. What will be important is income, outgoings and any existing debt. It doesn't matter where the income comes from - salary, pension, PIP, whatever. As long as it's a regular income, the lender will base their assessment on that.

"I need to buy car parts to fix my car and I have no savings nor the ability to borrow from anyone else."

Be aware that, even if you did get accepted for a credit card, it is possibly the most expensive way of borrowing there is, unless you can get a 0% purchase card. For the situation described, a standard personal loan may well be a cheaper option - apply for it over the shortest period possible, and repay it early if you're able. Depending on how long you're anticipating it'll take you to repay, it may be a better option, even allowing for early settlement penalties.

But the loan mentioned by ManyWays could well be even better, if you're eligible for it.

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81911777#Comment_81911777

Another important factor is credit history which it seems the OP hasn't got, agree with income doesn't have to be a wage.

powerspowers

have you looked at local credit union? May work out cheaper than CC and they lend to people on benefits with poor credit history as long as it’s affordable. They also encourage you to save so you have a pot to draw on in the future.
I also think you should be getting a carers element top up on your UC, as well as a health element if you don’t already

gbhxu

You can get a credit card on UC and PIP .

In fact I've got 3

As others have said. It's cheaper to get a loan

HillStreetBlues

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81916707#Comment_81916707

I've 8 😀

EDIT 9

Sncjw

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81911552#Comment_81911552

if you are struggling to have savings how will you afford to pay the credit card back?

if you are not able to get a 0 percent deal then you will need to pay the card back in full when statement comes to avoid paying interest.

Have you looked on money saving experts credit card elgibility checker?