Claimants who have requested the advance ahead of a new claim will usually pay back the advance within 24 months if they apply on or after April 12, 2021, or within 12 months if they applied before April 12, 2021.
People who apply for the advance as their circumstances have changed will usually have six months to pay back the money.
Repayments can be delayed if a person cannot currently afford them.
They can be delayed for three months if the advance is for a new claim and by one month if it is because a person’s situation has changed.
This will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
People may be refused an advance if they have not had their identity checked or if they have enough money to last until their next Universal Credit payment.
An application may also be refused if the claimant lives with parents, relatives or friends or if they have final earnings or redundancy payments.