Joint UC claim...financially linked?

barbiedoll

If a couple make a joint claim for UC, but one of them has a poor credit rating, will they be regarded as "financially linked"? The money would be paid into the bank account of the partner with a good credit rating.

My step-daughter's partner is "off-grid", he has no permanent address, he doesn't have a bank account, and he's currently living with her and their 3 young children, she is supporting him with her benefits. We're trying to persuade her to put him on her claim, as it looks like he isn't going anywhere, but she says that he has around 2K debts (from contracts that "his mum took out for him", and also to his bank) and she doesn't want him to be linked to her. She is very good with money, and has no debts other than a small phone contract. He's got ideas of being a "house-husband", so that she can work when her youngest starts nursery. We're just sick of watching him leech off her and the children, and are trying to tactfully suggest ways to get him in the system, so that he at least gets some income.We know how to help him to deal with his debts, so he can't keep using that as an excuse!

calcotti

To the best of my knowledge a joint UC claim does not create a financial link bit i can't find a link definitively stating this
Financial Association | What To Know About Shared Finances | Experian

barbiedoll

Thank you @calcotti

Yes, it's hard to find a definite answer online for sure. I would assume not, considering that there is no financial "product" sold or bestowed when receiving benefits?

calcotti

barbiedoll said:

Thank you @calcotti

Yes, it's hard to find a definite answer online for sure. I would assume not, considering that there is no financial "product" sold or bestowed when receiving benefits?

That's my belief.

sammyjammy

No Universal credit claims or any DWP benefits are reported to CRAs and therefore would make no financial link between any parties to a joint claim that did not otherwise exist.

sheramber

If she receives  child benefit  then she needs to advise them she is living with a partner, if she has not already dome so.

Robbie64

^

Not just Child Benefit but Council Tax also if there is a Single Person Discount in payment. Plus if she's getting Universal Credit and he is living there she has to report this to UC as otherwise she could be investigated for fraud if it was discovered by UC (even if she would be better off by reporting it, the presence of a partner in the household is a change of circumstances that must be reported).

By informing Council Tax that he is living there, and the legal requrement that he must inform the electoral section of the local council it is possible that may create a financial link, or at least the partner will become traceable. But his presence needs to be reported to avoid all sorts of problems for your step-daughter.

calcotti

Robbie64 said: By informing Council Tax that he is living there, and the legal requrement that he must inform the electoral section of the local council it is possible that may create a financial link, 

I can't see why that would be the case.

Robbie64

calcotti said:

Robbie64 said: By informing Council Tax that he is living there, and the legal requrement that he must inform the electoral section of the local council it is possible that may create a financial link, 

I can't see why that would be the case.

It shouldn't do but I have seen it happen before (it happened to me and I had to contact Equifax to get the financial link removed).

calcotti

Robbie64 said:

calcotti said:

Robbie64 said: By informing Council Tax that he is living there, and the legal requrement that he must inform the electoral section of the local council it is possible that may create a financial link, 

I can't see why that would be the case.

It shouldn't do but I have seen it happen before (it happened to me and I had to contact Equifax to get the financial link removed).

Can't argue with experience.

Mrsn

OP I can confirm that the joint UC wouldn’t create a financial link.... mine and my husbands claim hasn’t done so.