Self employed and UC

MewMewMew

Hi,
In need of a little advice. 
I'm a sole trader, lost all of my work overnight (thanks Covid 19), I have just tried to sign up for universal credit but it has asked for my partner and I do claim together.
Currently my live in boyfriend still has a job, and is able to work from home.
Does anyone know if this means I cannot claim universal credit? or if this rule has also been lifted to help self employed people for a while? 
Any advice would be appreciated as I really don't know what to try next.

TurtleGirl88

We are in the same boat so I'm asking the same question really. My husband's work has completely dried up but I am wfh and being paid still.  We have done the benefits checker and it says he can claim £0.  I presume this must be because my income is above a threshold of some sort - does anyone know what this is? 

calcotti

Couples must always both claim. The amount of UC payable (if any) is calculated based on joint circumstances. This has always been the case for means tested benefits and the recent measures do not change this.

There are benefit calculators here https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators. These probably don't reflect the increase in the standard allowances announced yesterday (I haven't seen definite figures yet).

calcotti

TurtleGirl88 said: We have done the benefits checker and it says he can claim £0.  I presume this must be because my income is above a threshold of some sort - does anyone know what this is? 

There isn't a threshold. Maximum UC entitlement depends on circumstances. A deduction is then made in respect of other income. If the deduction exceeds the maximum entitlement then there is no UC payable.