Can You Claim Universal Credit If You Are Separated But Living Together?

If you are thinking about whether or not you can claim Universal Credit if you are separated but living together with your former partner, you will find the answer to your question as you read through the following blog post. In addition to answering your question, we will also explore the potential implications of a change in relationship status as being separated on your Universal Credit claim.

Can You Claim Universal Credit If You Are Separated But Living Together?

Yes, you can claim Universal Credit if you are separated but living together. However, you would need to report this change in your relationship status under a change of circumstances and report the details to the DWP so that (a) their records are updated and (b) your future payments are adjusted accordingly.

While Universal Credit claimants can continue to receive payments if they separate from a partner but still live with them, the joint claim for which they were previously receiving payments as a couple would cease to exist with a change in their relationship and each one of them will be eligible for single person payments, individually.

This means that if you were claiming a standard allowance of between £416.45 and £525.72 each month as a couple, you will now be able to claim between £265.31 and £334.91 each month separately.

While you can claim Universal Credit if you are separate but living together with your former partner, you should know that the DWP will check your living conditions and conduct a relationship status review (usually after 6 months) to check if there are any changes to your relationship status.

How Should You Inform DWP If You Are Separated But Living Together?

You can inform the DWP if you are separated but living together in either of the following ways:

• If you are using an online account for your Universal Credit claim, you can inform the DWP by updating your relationship details in the “Report a change” section. 
• Another option is to call the Universal Credit helpline at 0800 328 5644, from Monday to Friday, between 8 am to 6 pm.
• Alternatively, you can also send a text message on their text phone at 0800 328 1344.

You should inform the DWP at the earliest when there are such important changes to your circumstances that affect your benefits payments so that there are no overpayments received at your end or you are held responsible for intentionally holding back information from the authorities.

Can You Claim Any Other Benefits If You Are Separated?

Yes, depending on your circumstances, there are some other welfare benefits in addition to Universal Credit that you will be able to claim if you are separated. These include the following:

• You can apply for Jobseeker’s Allowance if you are looking for work, have made the required amount of National Insurance contributions and have worked for two tax years.

• You can apply for Income Support if you are a parent who is working equal to or less than 16 hours per week.

• You can apply for  Employment and Support Allowance if you have a health condition or a disability that affects your ability to work.

• You can apply for Child Tax Credit and Child Benefit if you have the sole responsibility for a child under the age of 16 years.

• You can apply for Working Tax Credit if you work 16 hours a week and are the parent with the main care responsibility of a child or children.

Additionally, you can visit the Government’s website to check the benefits and financial support that you can claim if you are separated.

Conclusion:

The above discussion helps to conclude that you can claim Universal Credit when you separate from a former partner and yet continue to live together. However, this change of circumstance will affect your and your former partner’s future payments for Universal Credit.

References:

Check if a change affects your Universal Credit – Citizens Advice

Separated But Living Together | Divorce-Online

A survival guide to benefits and living together | Advicenow