Budgeting Loan Contact Number

Important: Calls to this number cost 7p per minute, plus your operator’s access charge. We will connect your call directly to the UK Government helpline. We are not associated with UK Government.

Budgeting Loan Enquiries – 0844 241 5778

If you are experiencing financial difficulties and you are struggling to pay for essential items or cover your household bills, you may be eligible for some financial help from the Social Fund in the form of a budgeting loan which could help you to make ends meet. For further information or to get help from a DWP representative, call the Budgeting Loan Contact Number above.

What is a Budgeting Loan?

Budgeting Loan Contact NumberA budgeting loan is a form of government help for those with money worries who are struggling financially.  If you’re eligible to claim for this loan, the money can help you pay for necessary costs of living such as rent or furniture, clothes or paying essential bills or debt payments.

The smallest amount that you are able to borrow is £100, however if you have dependents living with you, you may be entitled to borrow as much as £812.  The actual amount you can borrow will depend on a number of different factors.

The benefit of taking out a budgeting loan is that the money is interest-free, meaning that you you will only need to pay back the value of the amount that you borrowed.  This is in contrast to other short-term loans or payday loans, that may charge extremely high rates of interest.

Typically your loan will need to be paid back within two years, however there may be different repayment options, depending on your circumstances.  For more information about repaying the loan you can call the Budgeting Loan phone number on 0844 241 5778.

Who is eligible to apply for a budgeting loan?

This form of financial support has been exclusively designed for those who are already claiming benefits, but who require a further one-off sum.  If you or your partner have been claiming benefits for at least 26 weeks i.e. Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Pension Credit etc then you can normally apply.  You must still be claiming the benefits when your application is assessed.

How much will I get?

The amount you can borrow differs, and will depend on a variety of factors which could include your marital status, whether you have any children, the amount of savings you have and your ability to actually the money back.

Although the minimum claim amount is £100, if you are single you are entitled to claim up to £348, £464 if you’re a couple and a maximum of £812 if you are a family with children.

Once you have spent the funds, you will not be entitled to claim for a further amount – budgeting loans are a one-off payment.

What can I spend the money on?

In order to be eligible, there are certain exemptions on what you will be able to spend the money on.  A budgeting loan will only be approved if what you are planning on spending it on is deemed as an essential cost.  This could be anyone of the following:

  • Rental payments
  • Paying household bills
  • Furniture for your home or other household equipment
  • Home maintenance costs
  • Clothing and footwear
  • Travelling expenses (to a new job, or taking the children to and from school)
  • Repayment of debts
  • Maternity expenses
  • Funeral expenses
  • Medical expenses

Your claim will not be approved if you are deemed to be spending it on non-essential or luxury items or services.

For more information about how a budgeting loan could help you, contact the budgeting loan contact number on 0844 241 5778.

How do I apply for a budgeting loan?

To apply you will need to download and fill in a budgeting loan application form, also known as claim form SF500, and return to your regional benefit centre for free as outlined below:

East Midlands, Yorkshire and Humberside, East Anglia and Essex
Freepost DWP BUDGETING LOANS 2

London, the South and South East, North East and North West England or Wales
Freepost DWP BUDGETING LOANS

West Midlands, South West England or Scotland
Freepost DWP BUDGETING LOANS 1

Your application will typically take up to 15 days to process. If you are able to include your mobile number on your application you will be able to receive updates on the progress of your claim. You can also call the budgeting loan number to receive an update from the customer service team.

Alternatively, you may wish to drop in your completed form to your local job centre, however this may take a lot longer to process.

If you are unable to download and print off the form from the website, then you can call the number for budgeting loans on this page and they will be able to post one out to you.

Who can I speak to about my claim?

If you have any questions about your current application, then you can call 0844 241 5778 however please leave at least 15 days before the start of your claim before contacting the helpline.

The Budgeting Loan contact number is available between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.

How will my loan be paid?

You will normally be paid in the form of a lump sum into your usual bank or building society, or another nominated account.  If you wish to, you can have the funds paid into someone else’s account, for example, you may have someone who manages your money on your behalf.

How do I pay the loan back?

As this benefit is completely interest-free, you’ll only need to pay back the exact amount that you borrowed, and you usually have two years in which to do so.

Your repayment schedule will be worked out at the time of your claim, so you know what to expect and what you can afford.  Fixed repayments are usually taken out of claimants benefits each month until the loan is repaid, and the amount will be worked out dependent on your other financial commitments.  If you don’t have the means to repay the money back, then your claim will not be approved. There may be other non-standard repayment options available.  To discuss this, call the telephone number for more information.

What if I’m unhappy with the outcome of my claim?

If you are not fully satisfied with your claim and you would like the decision to be reviewed, then you must write your complaint to JobCentre Plus within 28 days of the decision, explaining why you are unhappy with the outcome of your claim.

A review of your claim will usually take around 21 working days to be completed.  If you still believe that the decision is wrong, you will need to take up your case with the office of the Independent Case Examiner who will provide an additional review and their decision will be final.