Universal Credit claim with partner

Hello there. I am Gemma, a legal assistant at Lawyer Destroyer. I would be happy to explain how Universal Credit works when you live with a partner.

The short answer:

Yes, you can absolutely claim Universal Credit if you live with your partner. However, you will need to apply as a couple rather than as an individual.

How living out together affects your claim:

When you live together as a couple, the Department for Work and Pensions treats you as a single household. This means you must make a joint claim for Universal Credit. You cannot apply as a single person if you live with your partner, even if you keep your bank accounts and finances completely separate.

Because it is a joint claim, the government will look at both of your incomes and both of your savings combined to work out if you qualify, and how much Universal Credit you should get.

The savings limit:

One of the most important rules to be aware of is the savings limit. If you and your partner have more than 16,000 pounds in savings or investments combined, you will not be able to get Universal Credit. If your combined savings are between 6,000 pounds and 16,000 pounds, your monthly Universal Credit payments will be reduced.

Who counts as a partner:

You are treated as a couple for Universal Credit if you are married, in a civil partnership, or living together in the same household as if you were married.

What if one of you is not eligible:

Sometimes, one partner might not be allowed to claim Universal Credit. This could be because they are a full time student, they have reached State Pension age, or they have an immigration status that does not allow them to claim public funds. If this happens, you still apply as a couple. The eligible person will receive the Universal Credit payment, but the government will still take both of your incomes and savings into account.

Your claimant commitment:

When you make a joint claim, both of you will usually need to agree to something called a Claimant Commitment. This is an agreement setting out what each of you must do to keep getting your payments, such as looking for work or reporting any changes in your lives. What each of you has to do will depend on your individual circumstances, such as your health or if you have young children.

Practical next steps:

1. Gather your financial details. You will need information for both of you regarding your housing costs, rent, current income, savings, and any childcare costs.

2. Check your eligibility first. Before applying, it is a very good idea to use a free online benefits calculator. Charities like Turn2us, Policy in Practice, or Entitledto have excellent, anonymous calculators on their websites. Enter both of your details as a couple to see an estimate of what you might get.

3. Apply online. To claim, you will need to go to the official government Universal Credit website. First, you will create an online account. Your partner will then need to create their own online account. The system will give you a special linking code so you can join your two accounts together to form your joint claim.

I hope this helps make the rules a little clearer for you both. Please feel free to ask if you need help with anything else.