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<p><strong> </strong></p><p>No claimant has to go five weeks without receiving support,
as advances, worth up to 100 per cent of a claimant’s indicative award, are available
up front, if there is a need. Advances are paid back over a period of 12 months and
in the Autumn Budget 2018, we announced that from October 2021, the payback period
for these advances will be extended further, up to 16 months.</p><p>New Claims are
often made as a result of a life event such as losing a job or separating from a partner,
and these events can be associated with financial problems. To support our claimants
fully at these times, the Department has introduced a number of measures to support
claimants before they receive their first Universal Credit award.</p><p> </p><p>Following
the Autumn Budget 2017, we have already removed waiting days and are providing an
additional 2 weeks of Housing Benefit to eligible claimants to support them when they
move to Universal Credit.</p><p>From July 2020, we are introducing a two-week run-on
for all those on Employment Support allowance, Income Support or Jobseeker’s allowance
who move to Universal Credit and their claim for Universal Credit terminates their
existing benefit award</p><p> </p><p>On the 1<sup>st</sup> January 2019, The Money
and Pension Service (MAPS) replaced the three existing providers of government-sponsored
financial guidance – the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension
Wise – which has brought together the provision of debt advice, money guidance and
pension guidance for the first time.</p><p>The new body delivers free and impartial
financial guidance and a more streamlined service to members of the public providing
easier access to the information and guidance.</p>
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