| answer text |
<p>Universal Credit (UC) new claim advances provide access to a payment for those
in financial need, which can be accessed on the same day, until their first UC payment
is due. Claimants can access up to 100% of the total expected monthly award, for which
they can pay back over a period of up to 12 months. From October 2021, this maximum
repayment period will be extended further to 16 months.</p><p> </p><p>Around 60 per
cent of new claims take up an advance. Subject to some fluctuation, this rate of advance
take-up has been broadly consistent over the last 12 months.</p><p> </p><p>Between
1 May 2013 and 30 April 2019, a total of 2.9 million UC advance payments have been
made.</p><p> </p><p>Advances are payments of Universal Credit made early, which are
subject to recovery over an agreed period.</p>
|
 |
