How to get help with Universal Credit and what financial support and grants are available?

AROUND 3.2million people are expected to be worse off when they're moved onto Universal Credit, so we've rounded-up up the grants and other financial help that's out there.

Universal Credit was first introduced in 2010 but it's been plagued with problems ever since.

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If you get Universal Credit, here's what other help you may be entitled to.

Apply for a Universal Credit advance

When you first claim Universal Credit you won't be paid any money until five weeks after you submit your claim, you will then be paid monthly.

So, if you need help to pay your bills or cover other costs while you wait for your first Universal Credit payment, you can apply to get an advance.

The most you can get as an advance is the amount of your first estimated payment - but you'll usually find out the same day you apply if the advance will be granted.

You can apply for an advance payment via your online universal credit account or through your Jobcentre Plus work coach.

You’ll need to explain why you need an advance, verify your identity, and provide your bank account details.

These advances MUST be paid back within 12 months although you won't pay interest on it.

You can choose how many months you pay the advance back over.

Check if you can get a budgeting advance

If you get Universal Credit, you may be able to apply for a budgeting advance of between £100 and £812 - depending on your circumstances - to help pay for emergency household costs.

Again, this MUST be repaid within a year and repayments will be deducted from your monthly Universal Credit payments - or via other means if you no longer get universal credit.

Are you eligible for a hardship grant?

If you fail to meet your responsibilities or what you’ve agreed in your "claimant commitment", your Universal Credit could be stopped or reduced - this is called a sanction.

You can ask for a hardship payment if you cannot pay for rent, heating, food or hygiene needs because you got a sanction.

The hardship payment is roughly 60 per cent of the amount you were sanctioned by in the last month.

Again, you will need to pay it back through your Universal Credit payments.

To apply, contact the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 9344 - charity Citizens Advice says you'll need to be at least 18 to qualify.

Struggling with your rent or mortgage payments? You may be entitled to help

If you’re having financial difficulties or you’re behind on your rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an "alternative payment arrangement" (APA).

Depending on your circumstances, you could get an APA to:

• get your rent paid directly to your landlord
• get paid more frequently than once a month
• receive split payments, if you’re part of a couple

You may also be entitled to discretionary housing payments if your Universal Credit payment is not enough to pay your rent - but this will depend on your council, so ask.

Renters and homeowners may also be entitled to housing payment.

Plus, if you're struggling to pay your council tax bills you may also be allowed an up to 100 per cent reduction. Contact your local authority for more information.

Get help with food costs

If you're struggling to pay for a food shop, you may be able to get a minimum of three days' worth of food from a Trussell Trust food bank - there are around 420 of these across the UK.

Each foodbank works with different frontline professionals, such as doctors, health visitors, social workers and Citizens Advice, who will refer you to the foodbank using a voucher.

to find out which referral agencies it works with in your area and how you can get a voucher.

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Deal with your debt problems

If you're experiencing debt problems the best thing you can do is to talk to your provider about it - don't bury your head in the sand.

You may find your provider will work with you to create a manageable plan to reduce your debts.

You can also ask for interest to be frozen so that the debt doesn’t go up and it gives you breathing space to pay the balance.

Don't use high cost loans

If you desperately need cash - do everything you can to avoid high cost short-term loans as often they'll only result in your becoming trapped in a vicious debt cycle.

First, see if you're eligible for any grants.

If you're not, using a credit card with a long interest-free period will help you to manage borrowing - but you will need to be able to repay the minimum amount each month.

Check out our guide to the best 0 per cent interest-free credit cards for spending and purchases up to 31 months.

You could also consider getting a cheap personal loan. See our guide for the top loan rates.

Check for other financial support

If you receive Universal Credit you may also be able to get:

• • if you have no income
  • a
  • if you’re pregnant or have a child under 4 years old
  • help with
  • help with
  • help with the
  • help with building up savings through
  • a
  • to cap your bills if you have a water meter

Also use charity , and use its .

Where to get free advice from

If you need to reach out to someone about debt or money problems, you can turn to the following organisations for free advice.

• for help with housing and homelessness

Here are the seven shocking ways Universal Credit is FAILING revealed – and how to get help.

One family has had to turn to payday loans to cover bills and Christmas presents this year.

But here’s how you could get a £50 a week boost to Universal Credit.

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