Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what guidance is provided to job centre staff when assessing whether a universal credit claimant can receive an advanced payment.

Comprehensive guidance on Universal Credit Advance payments is available to all staff across the Jobcentre network.

This guidance is clear that it is essential that all new claimants are offered an Advance and that it is processed at the first point of contact. Applications for an advance payment can be made in person, by telephone or online depending on the claimant’s circumstances.

New claimants can apply for a Universal Credit advance, worth up to 100 per cent of a claimant’s indicative award, paid within 72 hours of making a request, and can receive payment within a day if needed. Around 60% of eligible new claims to Universal Credit received an advance in February 2019.

Universal Credit guidance is published in the House of Commons library and the Department is committed to refreshing this at regular intervals.