What are Budgeting Loans?

To help you navigate the complex world of finance, today we’re helping you understand exactly what a budgeting loan is. If you want to learn more about these loans, read on with detail on who might be eligible for one, what it can offer and how to arrange one.

A budgeting loan helps people on low incomes to pay for an unexpected expense or essential items. This type of loan is only available to people who meet a certain criteria, which we discuss below.

A budgeting loan is interest-free, making it a much cheaper payday loan alternative for those on low incomes.

What can a budgeting loan be used for?

Budgeting loans can help borrowers with a variety of different things such as:

• Repaying purchase hire loans
• Maternity costs
• Funeral costs
• Rent in advance
• Moving house associated costs
• Travel costs in the UK
• Security in the home
• Home improvements
• Home maintenance
• Costs that are linked to getting to a new job
• Furniture
• Household items such as washing machines
• Clothes or footwear

Who can apply for a budgeting loan?

Borrowers will need to meet certain criteria to be eligible for a budgeting loan.

You will need to be a recipient of one of the following benefits:

• Income support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Pension credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

You also need to make sure that you have been claiming one of these benefits for a minimum of 26 weeks. You do not necessarily need to be receiving this benefit consecutively, but there cannot be a break of more than 28 days in total.

How much can I borrow with a budgeting loan?

You can borrow a minimum of £100 with a budgeting loan. The maximum budgeting loan amount will be dependent on your individual circumstances. For example:

• If you are single, the maximum amount you can borrow is £384
• If you are part of a couple, the maximum amount you can borrow is £464
• If you have children, the maximum amount you can borrow is £812

There can also be additional factors impacting your budgeting loan amount, including:

• If you have existing Social Fund loans
• Are paying an existing budgeting loan
• If you have savings over £1,000 (this rises to £2,000 if you are aged over 63)

How do I pay back a budgeting loan?

With a budgeting loan, you will only need to pay back what you owe, with no additional fees – so essentially it is an interest-free loan.

These loan repayments will be taken out of your benefits automatically. The deducted amount will be calculated on an individual basis. This includes taking into account the benefits you receive, current income and what you can realistically afford to pay.

In the majority of cases when budgeting loans are granted, you are required to pay it back within 2 years.

How can I apply for a budgeting loan?

To apply for a budgeting loan is a relatively straightforward process. Once you have ensured you meet the relevant criteria for a budgeting loan, you can apply online via the GOV.UK website. Make sure you have the documents ready to prove you are an eligible applicant.

You can also download and print the Form SF500 from their website, or ask for the form at any local Jobcentre Plus in the UK.

For more help with financial products, explainers, guides and borrowing take a look at our Financial Explainer Guides for help.