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No one has to wait five weeks for their first payment. New claim advances are available
to support those in financial need until their first payment is made.<p /><p /><p
/>Claimants can access up to 100% of the total expected monthly award, which they
can pay back over a period of up to 12 months. We have announced that from October
2021, the repayment period for these advances will be extended further, to 16 months.<p
/><p /><p>Our Work Coaches gauge claimants’ financial needs from their first interview.
As part of this, every claimant is offered an advance payment on application. Proposed
repayments of the advance are explained, and all claimants are advised to request
a level of advance which is manageable both now and when considering the repayments
required.</p><p />Work Coaches can also refer claimants to more specialist support
for personal budgeting and money guidance if required.<p /><p /><p>The Department
has delivered a number of improvements to support claimants during their first assessment
period, such as removing waiting days and paying those claimants moving from Housing
Benefit onto Universal Credit a two week ‘transitional housing payment’. We are also
introducing a two-week run on for eligible claimants of Income Support, Jobseeker’s
Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance from July 2020.</p><p /><p />
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