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[LAST CHECKED: 19 October 2026]
Universal Credit Advance Payment Number: How to Get Help Before Your First Payment
Introduction: your Universal Credit advance payment number and what it is for
If you have just applied for Universal Credit, you will usually wait around five weeks for your first payment. During that time, you may be able to get a Universal Credit advance payment to help with bills and essential costs. This is an independent guide. It explains the universal credit advance payment number to call, how the advance works, and what to expect. It is not official DWP guidance.
Quick answer: There is no separate “advance payment number”. You use the main Universal Credit helpline: 0800 328 5644 (England, Scotland and Wales) or 0800 012 1331 (Northern Ireland). You can also request an advance through your online journal or by speaking to your work coach.
The advance is a loan, not a grant. You pay it back through deductions from your future Universal Credit payments. It is interest-free.
Who can claim a Universal Credit advance payment?
You may be able to get an advance if you are waiting for your first Universal Credit payment and you have little or no money to live on. You usually need to be aged 16 or over and be entitled to Universal Credit.
New claims: You can ask for an advance during your initial assessment period, before your first payment is made.
Change of circumstances: If your Universal Credit amount is going to increase because your circumstances have changed, you may be able to get an advance for the increase.
You must repay it: The advance is recoverable. It is not a gift and it is not a hardship grant.
Nation differences:
Scotland: You can choose to be paid Universal Credit twice a month instead of monthly. You can also ask for the housing element to be paid directly to your landlord.
Wales: The standard monthly payment rules usually apply. Welsh-language helpline: 0800 328 1744.
Northern Ireland: You may be able to get a Universal Credit New Claims Grant instead of a repayable advance. This grant does not have to be paid back. The Universal Credit telephone number for Northern Ireland is different: 0800 012 1331. Payments in Northern Ireland are usually made twice a month.
If you are unsure which rules apply to you, check with your work coach or an independent advice service.
How much could you get?
The most you can usually get as a new claim advance is 100% of your first estimated Universal Credit payment. The exact amount depends on your circumstances, such as your age, whether you have children, and your housing costs.
You may not be allowed to borrow an amount that would take more than 24 months to repay through deductions.
Important: The advance is not extra money. It is an early payment of Universal Credit that you would have received later. Because it is repaid through deductions, your first payment and subsequent payments will be lower until the advance is cleared.
There are separate Budgeting Advances for certain expenses, but these have different rules and maximum amounts. A Budgeting Advance is not the same as a new claim advance. If you need help with a specific expense, ask your work coach which type of support fits your situation.
How to apply: step by step
You do not need a special “advance payment number” beyond the main Universal Credit contact routes. You can apply in one of three ways.
Use your online journal. Log in to your Universal Credit account and leave a message in your journal explaining that you need an advance.
Speak to your work coach or a Jobcentre contact. You can ask at your local Jobcentre Plus.
Call the Universal Credit helpline. Telephone: 0800 328 5644 (England, Scotland and Wales). Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 328 5644. Welsh language: 0800 328 1744. Northern Ireland: 0800 012 1331. Lines are usually open Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
You will usually find out the same day whether you can get an advance. Payment is normally made within three working days, but it can be faster if your situation is urgent.
Documents you’ll need as a checklist
Before you apply, have these ready:
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Your identity verification (you may do this online or with a work coach)
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Your bank account details for the advance payment
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An explanation of why you need the advance
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Details of any money or savings you have
If you cannot open a bank account, speak to your work coach or a Universal Credit contact at your local Jobcentre. They can help you explore alternatives.
Common mistakes that delay or reduce claims
Assuming the advance is a grant. It is a loan. Repayments will reduce your future Universal Credit.
Not explaining urgency clearly. If you have no other money to live on, say so. The DWP can sometimes pay on the same day in urgent cases.
Missing the journal message. If you apply through your journal, check for replies and respond quickly.
Not asking for a repayment delay when needed. If you cannot afford the deductions, you can ask for repayments to be delayed for three months.
Forgetting that deductions continue if you stop claiming Universal Credit. You will still need to repay the advance, usually through DWP Debt Management.
What happens after you apply?
If your advance is approved, the money is usually paid into your bank account within three working days. You will usually be told the same day whether you qualify.
Repayments are taken automatically from your future Universal Credit payments. The standard repayment period is up to 24 months. Deductions from Universal Credit are capped at 15% of your standard allowance for debt deductions, including advances.
If you are struggling to repay, you can ask for a three-month delay by updating your journal, speaking to your work coach, or calling the helpline.
If you disagree with a decision about your advance, you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration. The decision letter will explain how. You can also get free help from Citizens Advice or another independent advice service.
Related support you might be missing
While you are waiting for your first Universal Credit payment, other help may be available.
Hardship payments: If your Universal Credit is sanctioned or reduced, you may be able to get a hardship payment. This is also recoverable.
Budgeting Advance: For certain essential expenses, you may be able to get a Budgeting Advance. Ask your work coach.
Local council support: Councils in England, Scotland and Wales may offer Household Support Fund or similar local welfare assistance. In Northern Ireland, the Discretionary Support Fund may help.
Food banks and charitable support: Turn2us and Citizens Advice can help you find local food banks and other emergency support.
If you are in Northern Ireland, ask specifically about the Universal Credit New Claims Grant. It is unique to Northern Ireland and does not need to be repaid.
Quick summary checklist
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Use the main Universal Credit helpline or your online journal — there is no separate advance payment number.
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The advance is a loan, not a grant.
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You can usually get up to 100% of your first estimated payment.
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Repayments are taken from future Universal Credit, usually over 24 months.
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Ask for a repayment delay if you cannot afford the deductions.
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In Northern Ireland, ask about the New Claims Grant.
FAQs
Is there a special phone number just for Universal Credit advance payments?
No. You use the standard Universal Credit helpline: 0800 328 5644 in England, Scotland and Wales, or 0800 012 1331 in Northern Ireland. You can also apply through your journal or work coach.
How quickly will I get the advance payment?
You will usually be told the same day if you qualify. Payment normally arrives within three working days. If you have no other money to live on, it may be paid sooner, sometimes the same day.
Do I have to pay back a Universal Credit advance?
Yes. It is a loan. Repayments are deducted from your future Universal Credit payments, usually over up to 24 months. You do not pay interest.
Can I get an advance if I am in Northern Ireland?
You may be able to get a Universal Credit New Claims Grant, which does not need to be repaid. The contact number for Northern Ireland is 0800 012 1331.
What if I cannot afford the repayments?
You can ask for your repayments to be delayed for three months. Request this through your journal, your work coach, or the helpline.
Conclusion
The universal credit advance payment number is simply the main Universal Credit helpline. There is no separate line just for advances. The advance can help you bridge the five-week wait, but it is a loan that reduces your future payments. Apply through your journal, your work coach, or by phone, and ask about a repayment delay if you need one.
If you are in Northern Ireland, ask about the New Claims Grant first. It may be a better option because it does not need to be repaid.
For more help, see our related guides on Universal Credit payment dates, hardship payments, and Budgeting Advances. Always check GOV.UK or an independent advice service for the latest information.