We were approached on behalf of a young woman whose Gran has recently died. Her Gran raised her as a child, and although they are at opposite ends of the country the woman would like to be able to attend the funeral. She recently lost her job when the care home she was working at closed suddenly without notice. She applied for Universal Credit over 5 weeks ago, and has taken advantage of the fact that she can obtain an advance payment, as she is in privately rented accommodation and her landlord is unprepared to wait to be paid. Universal Credit have told her that despite the fact she has already been waiting five weeks, she could have to wait a further three weeks before the first payment can be made. The cost to get her from where she lives down south to Manchester and back would cost just over £72, which we agreed to cover.