Help available while your claim is processed

If you are struggling to manage while you are waiting for your first payment of Universal Credit, you can ask for a short-term benefit advance from the Jobcentre.

The amount you might get can be up to 100% of the overall estimated Universal Credit amount. It is usually paid back from future Universal Credit payments over a period of twelve months.

You can also request a budgeting advance from the Jobcentre. This is repayable and is for expenses such as household equipment. It replaces the Social Fund budgeting loans for those who have been on Universal Credit for six months.

Getting help with budgeting

Help and budgeting advice is available from the Money Advice Service.

If you need more help to manage your budget, the council offers a limited service.

For information about this, contact the council on 0191 433 3673 / 3676 / 3876.

The council also offer general welfare and benefit advice and debt advice, where we can help check you are claiming everything you are entitled to and give you advice and support when dealing with debt. If you want some help call us on 0191 433 3677 or 0191 433 3675 or email benefitenquiries@gateshead.gov.uk

Citizens Advice Gateshead may also be able to offer budgeting advice and guidance.

What if I get into rent arrears or struggle to budget?

You or your landlord can ask for the housing element of Universal Credit to be paid direct to them.
You can ask for more frequent payments
The payment can be split between partners