Budgeting advances and loans – Budgeting advances are administered by the DWP. They are interest-free loans for people getting universal credit. They are intended to meet intermittent expenses for specified items which it may be difficult to budget for, enabling the cost to be spread over time. See 2 below for details. Budgeting loans provide similar help for those who are still getting a pre-universal credit means-tested benefit. See 3 below for details.

Local welfare assistance schemes – Local authorities have responsibility for grants and loans to help with independent living or in crisis situations.

In England, each authority may manage its own scheme; many no longer do so however. To find out what help, if any, is available in your area, contact your local authority or county council.

The Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish governments have developed their own national schemes (see 4 , 5 and 6 below).