Find out more about how to apply for a Budgeting Loan, eligibility criteria, how much money you’re be able to get and how long it will take to receive a decision on your Budgeting Loan application.
A Budgeting Loan is a personal loan available from the DWP. To apply for a Budgeting Loan, you need to have been on one of the following benefits for at least 6 months:
You are not eligible to apply for a Budgeting Loan if:
If you’re claiming Universal Credit you aren’t eligible for a Budgeting Loan. But you can apply for a Budgeting Advance.
The minimum and maximum amount of money you can get with a Budgeting Advance is the same as a Budgeting Loan. Repayments are taken directly from your Universal Credit payments.
The Budgeting Loan phone number is no longer 0345 603 6967. The DWP have a Budgeting Loan 0800 number so you can call for free. You can use the Budgeting Loan contact number to request a SF500 or to ask questions about the progress of your Budgeting Loan application.
| Budgeting Loan | Contact Numbers |
|---|---|
| Budgeting Loan Telephone | 0800 169 0140 |
| Budgeting Loan Textphone | 0800 169 0140 |
| Budgeting Loan Welsh language | 0800 169 0240 |
| Budgeting Loan Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): | 18001 then 0800 169 0140 |
You can apply for a Budgeting Loan online. The DWP have an online Budgeting Loan application process.
You can also complete a PDF application form to apply for a Budgeting Loan called an SF500 form.
To apply for a Budgeting Loan online, please click here.
If you apply for a Budgeting Loan online, you’ll find out whether you’ve been successful with your loan application within 15 working days.
If you accept the Budgeting Loan offer you receive, it will be a further 11 working days before you’ll receive the money.
Your Budgeting Loan will be payed into your bank account, your building society account or your credit union account.
You can also apply for Budgeting Loan by post. Collect a SF500 application from your nearest Jobcentre or call the Social Fund phone number to request for a Budgeting Loan form to be posted to you. The phone number to call to request a Budgeting Loan form from the Social Fund is 0800 169 0140.
You can post your Budgeting Loan application form or hand it in to your local Jobcentre Plus office.
It may take up to 19 working days to process your Budgeting Loan application. Wait until the processing period is complete before phoning the Budgeting Loan number to check the progress of your application.
The minimum amount you can borrow with a Budgeting Loan is £100. The maximum you can borrow with a Budgeting Loan is subject to your circumstances.
When you apply for a Budgeting Loan the amount of money you’re able to borrow will depend on whether:
After you apply for a Budgeting Loan, you’ll be given a decision on your application.
If you apply for a Budgeting Loan online, you’ll find out if you’ve been offered a loan within:
If you apply for a Budgeting Loan by post, you’ll get a letter telling you if you’ve been offered a loan within 21 days.
When you receive a decision about your Budgeting Loan application, you need to accept the loan to receive the money.
You’ll get the money for your Budgeting Loan within:
The money will be paid directly into your bank account, building society or credit union account.
You’ll get a text message to confirm that your Budgeting Loan money has been sent to your account.