Published for financially vulnerable people in receipt of benefits the DWP's "Introduction to Budgeting Loans" is useful for tenants living in the private rented sector who wish to apply for a covering loan via their benefits to pay for essentials. If granted, such a loan is paid back via deductions from the recipient's benefit payments and the loan is only available to those who have been in receipt of certain benefits for the last 6 months (those receiving universal credit have to apply for a budgeting "advance").

The guide is useful for private landlords to provide to a tenant who they are aware is in financial difficulty and who may wish to consider applying for such a loan but because this is a loan not a grant, in all cases, a tenant should first seek advice directly from the DWP, local CAB or their local authority advice/well being team before making an application to make sure that the decision to apply is the right one in their particular circumstances.