Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to promote awareness of financial assistance available to universal credit claimants awaiting their first full payment.

All new Universal Credit claimants are offered personal budgeting support during their initial interview and those who cannot wait until their first payment are able to request up to half of their indicative award as an advance.

As a result we have taken steps to clarify guidance to ensure claimants get access to the right support. We have also provided communications to increase the visibility of Universal Credit Advances so claimants are made aware of their availability and how to apply for them and the maximum they can claim.

The eligibility criteria for a Universal Credit new claim advance is that the claimant must be likely to be entitled to Universal Credit, must be in financial need and be able to re-pay the advance over the agreed repayment period. Those moving to Universal Credit from legacy benefits can get a benefit transfer advance if they are likely to be entitled to Universal Credit and able to re-pay the advance over the agreed repayment period.