The Universal Credit (Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2013

Advance payments of universal credit

19.—(1) This regulation applies where—

(a) the Secretary of State is deciding a claim for universal credit, other than a claim which is treated as having been made by virtue of regulation 9(8) of the Claims and Payments Regulations;

(b) the claimant was previously entitled to an existing benefit (“the existing award”); and

(c) the claim for universal credit was made during the period of one month starting with the date on which the existing award terminated.

(2) This regulation also applies where—

(a) the Secretary of State is deciding a claim for universal credit which is treated as having been made by virtue of regulation 9(8) of the Claims and Payments Regulations;

(b) one of the claimants is a new claimant partner who was previously entitled to an existing benefit; and

(c) the award of that benefit terminated on formation of the couple, or by virtue of regulation 16.

(3) Where this regulation applies, the claimant may request an advance payment of universal credit at any time during the first assessment period for universal credit and, in the case of joint claimants, such a request may be made by either of them or by them jointly.

(4) Where a request has been made in accordance with this regulation, the Secretary of State may make an advance payment to the claimant, or joint claimants, of such amount in respect of universal credit as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

(5) After an advance payment has been made under this regulation, payments of any award of universal credit to the claimant, or joint claimants, may be reduced until the amount of the advance payment is repaid.