The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are awarding short term benefit advances (gov.uk) and budgeting loans (gov.uk). If you are not in crisis or an emergency situation
Call:
- 0800 328 5644 - If you're claiming Universal Credit
- 0800 169 0310 - if you're claiming Job Seekers Allowance, Income Support or Employment and Support Allowance
The local support scheme replaced crisis loans and community care grants, which were abolished by the government in 2013. The scheme has significantly less funding than has previously been available.
The budget for the scheme is fixed, which means there will be no additional funding available if we run out. The service we provide must make the money available to help as many people as widely as we can, throughout the year.