SF500: Budgeting Loan claim form
SF500 is the paper application for a Budgeting Loan, an interest free Social Fund loan for people who have been getting certain income related benefits for at least 6 months.
This is the genuine DWP PDF, unmodified. Source: DWP official page.
What is SF500?
A Budgeting Loan helps with one off costs that are hard to meet out of benefit income. The categories printed on the form are furniture and household equipment, clothing and footwear, rent in advance or removal expenses to secure fresh accommodation, improvement, maintenance and security of the home, travelling expenses within the UK, expenses associated with seeking or re-entering work, maternity expenses, funeral expenses, and repaying hire purchase and other debts connected with those categories.
The 8 page SF500 collects your details and National Insurance number, your partner's details, children in the household and any Child Benefit or Child Tax Credit, the total amount you are applying for and what it is for, the qualifying benefits you receive, regular payments you have to make, savings, and the bank account you want the money paid into. Repayments are taken automatically from your benefit, and you only pay back what you borrow.
Who files SF500?
- People who have been getting Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit for at least 6 months
- Partners of someone receiving one of those qualifying benefits
- Claimants who need help with furniture, clothing, rent in advance, moving costs, home maintenance or work related expenses
- Appointees and attorneys applying on behalf of a benefit recipient
How to fill out SF500
- Check first whether you should apply online instead, which gov.uk says is quicker than the paper form.
- Fill in your own details, your National Insurance number and your partner's details if you have a partner.
- Enter the total amount you are applying for and tick the item categories the loan is for at question 25.
- Answer the questions about qualifying benefits, regular payments you make and any savings, then give the account you want the payment made into.
- Sign and date the declaration and post the form to the address given in the SF500 notes; the Social Fund Enquiry Line on 0800 169 0140 can confirm the address or send you a paper copy.
Quick fill SF500 on this page
Prefer to see the form itself while you type? Open SF500 in the editor to fill it on the actual pages, add a signature, and download.
Frequently asked questions
Do I pay interest on a Budgeting Loan?
No. A Budgeting Loan is interest free, so you repay only what you borrow. Repayments are taken automatically out of your benefit payments.
Can I apply if I am on Universal Credit?
No. Gov.uk says not to apply for a Budgeting Loan if you get Universal Credit, New Style Jobseeker's Allowance or New Style Employment and Support Allowance. If you are on Universal Credit, ask for a Budgeting Advance instead.
Where do I send the completed SF500?
The form itself tells you to refer to the accompanying notes for the return address, so check the notes that came with your copy. If you are unsure, ring the Social Fund Enquiry Line on 0800 169 0140, Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm.