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<p>33% of UC advances which were paid before 5th May 2018, have not been fully repaid
as at 5th May 2019.</p><p> </p><p>Advances are not loans; they are an interest free
payment benefit advance, available to help people who need immediate financial support,
which is then recovered over an agreed period. The Department has taken a number of
steps to ensure that advances meet the needs of claimants and that the recovery arrangements
are personalised and reasonable. From October 2021 we are increasing the recovery
period for advances from 12 to 16 months, further supporting those in financial need.</p><p>
</p><p>Queries against the current repayment stock are only ever a snap shot in time
and therefore the position at the end of each financial year cannot be recreated.</p>
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