Universal credit in unusual circumstances

FlyG

Hi, I wondered whether anyone knows the answer to this please. I have split with my partner, we have 2 children. I am the main carer and work part time (24 hours). He pays the mortgage and we both still live in the house and will do until he buys me out in a few months time.

I have applied for universal credit, based on having 2 dependants, being the main carer, working 24 hours and having no housing costs.

I have an appointment at the Job Centre to finalise the claim later this week, but I was wondering whether anyone has been in this situation? Even though I still live there, and he does, we both stay with our parents when the other has the children. He pays the mortgage and im main carer only working part time, does anyone know whether my claim will be accepted in these circumstances?

Thank you

tacpot12

Your situation is not uncommon.

The DWP may argue that you are still living as couple and so should make a joint claim. You should refute this suggestion, and be prepared to show that you are living separate lives (e.g. separate bedrooms), and that your finances are separate. Make sure all the neighbours know that you are separated.

Showing your finances are separate is difficult due to the fact that it is only fair that you share the bills for water/energy/council tax. If you have a joint account for bills, I would suggest that you ensure that only essential items such as water/gas/electricity/council tax are paid into the joint account, and that you ensure that your payments in are clearly half the bills. Non-essential items such as broadband, tv packages, mobile phones, etc. should come out of your personal current accounts.

When he buys you out, you may find that the DWP want to reduce or stop your Universal Credit due to the lump sum you will receive. (You cannot normally claim UC if you have capital of more than £16,000, and any capital about £6,000 will normally reduce the amount of UC you receive). However, there is a rule that allows a lump sum payment from the same your former home to be disregarded for six months providing you intend to use the money to purchase a new home.

FlyG

Thank you so much thats really helpful.
At the moment when he works I am in the house all the time, because he works away for 4 or 5 weeks at a time. When he is back home we split the childcare 60%(me) 40%(him).

So when he is home I spend 3 nights a week at my parents.

When it comes to food and taking the kids out / clothing for them etc we do not share money and use our own.

He still pays all the bills as well as the mortgage as he is on a considerably bigger salary, and I have taken part time work to reduce the amount of nursery days our children have each week. So i have taken less money from work if that makes sense.

The amount I am getting will only be about 7500 anyway, and it will be for a new house i'll make sure i declare it. Thank you again.

calcotti

If he pays all the bills although you live in the house most of the time the DWP may take the view that you are financially linked and not truly separated. A Decision Maker will have to decide.