Forced to claim as a couple (Partner is student)

littleboots13

Hi,
I have been recieving UC (£317) for a couple of months since being out of work. As of October my parter has moved in with me, I informed them of this and they said I have no choice and have to make a joint claim. She is a full time student who lives off her maintenance loan as she's currently swamped with uni projects so isn't going to be looking for work until that dies down. She doesn't want anything to do with UC and we don't share money. Her loan is £8944 per year. After her bills, travel and what she needs for uni gets paid out each month she barely has anything left. I have been told that they are going to take her loan into account and now i'm concerend they are going to say we have enough money and reject our claim, as her loan works out more monthly than what they pay out for a regular couples claim currently. I can't seem to find any information on this and we don't have an appointment with them untl next Thursday so i'm stuck wondering and worrying. I am getting really concerned as I can't afford to be rejected and my partner can't afford to pay my bills and buy my food as well as hers. Does anyone have any infomation on this at all so i know what to expect? Thanks for you time.

calcotti

If you are a couple then your claim must be assessed as a couple. Her student loan will be taken into account. Your joint allowance will be £498/month.

I infer that you do not rent if no help for rent is included in your UC.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-students

littleboots13

Hi, thanks for your reply. I am aware that we are now being assessed as a couple and her loan is being taken into account. I am asking for further information on whether the claim will be refused due to it, or how they work it out?

calcotti

Sorry if that wasn’t clear. Your allowance is £498. Her student maintenance loan will be converted into a monthly amount and deducted from your maximum UC entitlement. The link provides more information. On the face of it there may well be no ongoing entitlement to UC.

[Deleted User]

Have a good read of the link on calcottis's post #2

littleboots13

calcotti wrote: »

If you are a couple then your claim must be assessed as a couple. Her student loan will be taken into account. Your joint allowance will be £498/month.

I infer that you do not rent if no help for rent is included in your UC.


So if her loan works out roughly £745 per month (she gets it every 4 months so it differs), but because that is more than £498 per month that means we wont be entitled to claim?

poppy12345

littleboots13 wrote: »

So if her loan works out roughly £745 per month (she gets it every 4 months so it differs), but because that is more than £498 per month that means we wont be entitled to claim?

If that's what she receives per month then you're correct, there won't be any entitlement to UC.



If you've received any UC since your partner moved in then you will have an overpayment.

littleboots13

Will they not take into consideration my partners outgoings before making the assumtion I can afford to live off her too? She barely has enough for food each month and now is going to be expected to pay for me too. Seems a terribly unfair system. More so to her for having to be dragged into this and expected to cover for me.

poppy12345

littleboots13 wrote: »

Will they not take into consideration my partners outgoings before making the assumtion I can afford to live off her too? She barely has enough for food each month and now is going to be expected to pay for me too. Seems a terribly unfair system. More so to her for having to be dragged into this and expected to cover for me.

Her loan will affect your UC £1 for £1 because UC is a means tested benefit. Do you rent your home and claim any housing element?

littleboots13

Nothing official. We have had to move into my mothers spare bedroom, we pay her directly.

poppy12345

littleboots13 wrote: »

Nothing official. We have had to move into my mothers spare bedroom, we pay her directly.

Then you won't be entitled to any housing element and as previously advised your UC will be reduced to zero.