To ask the Minister for Communities whether she will ensure the Contingency Fund is offered to Universal Credit applicants before any advance loan; and that a link to the application process for the Contingency Fund is provided to all new applicants of Universal Credit.

Arrangements are already in place to ensure that the Universal Credit Contingency Fund is offered to Universal Credit applicants before any advance loan, through the personal welcome message that customers receive on their online journal when they make their claim. This message includes signposting to the Finance Support Freephone and Textphone numbers, as well as a link to the online claim form if they wish to enquire further, or apply directly, to the Contingency Fund.

Staff also promote the Universal Credit Contingency Fund to anyone contacting them to report financial hardship. The Department also uses its social media channels to highlight the existence of the Contingency Fund, and our partners in the Advice Sector also actively promote its existence.