The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) offers one-off payments of up to £812 to benefits claimants to assist with unexpected costs, such as household items or travel expenses. However, any money borrowed must be repaid to the DWP.

Claimants on certain benefits can apply for a budgeting loan if they've been receiving these benefits for six months. The only amount to be repaid is the sum borrowed, with repayments automatically deducted from your benefits.

This follows the Government's introduction of the Fair Repayment Rate in April, which prevents the DWP from deducting up to 25 percent from someone's Universal Credit standard allowance payment to repay debt, reports the Manchester Evening News .

What benefits are eligible

Eligibility for a Budgeting Loan requires that you hav

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