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<p>Universal Credit guidance is published in the House of Commons Library and the
Department is committed to refreshing the information on a regular basis.</p><p>New
claimants to Universal Credit have always been able to apply for a Universal Credit
Advance in their first month if they need financial support until their first regular
payment of Universal Credit is made.</p><p>We have previously increased the maximum
amount available for advances from 50 per cent to 100 per cent of the total award,
and increased the repayment period from 6 months to 12 months. Last month’s Autumn
Budget 2018 extended - from October 2021 - the maximum period over which an advance
can be recovered, from 12 to 16 months. From October 2019, we will also reduce the
maximum rate at which deductions can be made from a Universal Credit award from 40%
to 30% of the standard allowance</p><p>If during the recovery of an advance the claimant
experiences an unforeseen expense that would cause them or their family genuine hardship
if they were required to continue to repay the advance, then they can be offered a
deferral period of the repayment of the advance of up to 3 months for a new claim,
benefit transfer or change of circumstance advance and up to 6 months for a budgeting
advance.</p><p>In addition Personal Budgeting Support (PBS) is also offered to Universal
Credit claimants from the outset of their claim. PBS helps claimants as they transition
to Universal Credit and adapt to the financial changes that Universal Credit brings.
PBS can be online, telephone or face to face support. Face to face support is currently
delivered through local authorities via Universal Support.</p>
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