Is this really the Gov's Plan? >£400 worse off after moving in with partner

[Deleted User]

Been with my partner a long time, both been living with parents to save for a house. I had to stop working due to health issues so receive the LCWWRA aspect of UC.
Good news is we managed to get a shared ownership mortgage - bad news is, now that we have a joint claim and my partner works full time, her earnings deduct from my entitlement. Also, as we are in shared ownership the work allowance is £222 less as we receive help from UC for housing aspect - meaning and extra £139.86 deduction.
All of this has resulted in me going from receiving approx £750/month whilst living with my parents to approx £330, except now I have a mortgage to pay along with other household expenses. 
I was aware that I'd receive less after moving in with my partner and THERE ARE DEFINETELY PEOPLE WORSE OFF THAN ME
The point of this post is just to put this out there and see people's opinions on this situation - 
Do you think this is fair? I would really appreciate a civil explanation why the difference is so large, not just that how UC works but the logic of it. How does this incentivise others thinking of moving in with their partner who are unable to work when they could remain in separate houses, receive more money and not put a burden on their partner which is exactly how I feel now. I must admit I feel more than a bit angry about this, it is not my fault that I am unable to work currently, believe me I would if I was capable and would earn well above what my partner earns - but I feel that UC is basically saying, if your sick and unable to work you can live a miserable life not working but we'll give you more money, or, you can move in with a partner but you'll get basically 50% of what you usually got and become a financial burden on your partner.
Anyway, any thoughts or opinions would be much appreciated.

poppy12345

Unfortunately, that's how UC works because it's a means tested benefit. Naturally, when living with parents you will always be better off because you have no living expenses as such. UC doesn't take into consideration your expenses.

It would be the same if you were working and living with parents and then moved out, you would have more expenses, so less money for the luxuries. Your partner is meant to support you.

When you finished work because of your health did you look into claiming New style ESA? This isn't means tested so a working partner or savings/capital doesn't affect the amount you're entitled to. It's based on your NI contributions in the previous 2 tax years.

Do you claim PIP or DLA?

[Deleted User]

Thanks for reply. Yeah UC sees living with parents = no living expenses, maybe true in some cases but I paid rent, bills, rates etc. whilst at parents. Also shared some expenses with partner 50/50. I had looked into ESA however I hadn't worked long enough for it to apply. I do receive PIP yes.
I realise I'm probably coming across as naïve, I knew I'd be getting less money after move and will have to make it work, but I'm honestly just shocked at the difference - this system is going to prevent a lot of people in similar situations from making positive changes in their lives such as moving in with a partner. UC is means tested as you said and I'm under no illusions that it's a gov sponsored charity- it's taxpayers money. Maybe just needed a rant.....

TELLIT01

Two people living together have lower costs than two people living separately.  One rent, one electric bill etc.  All income related benefits, of which UC is one, make entitlement calculations based on household income i.e. income of both partners.

Partners in life are generally expected to be of mutual support to each other.

poppy12345

TheT_RexFromJurassicPark said:

TYeah UC sees living with parents = no living expenses, maybe true in some cases but I paid rent, bills, rates etc. whilst at parents.

Yes but you wouldn't have been able to claim for any rent while living with parents. Your overall living expenses will still have been less than they are now. Means tested benefits has never taken into consideration your expenses anyway.

If your PIP includes the daily living part does your UC include the carers element because your partner will be able to claim f they're looking after you for at least 35 hours per week.

[Deleted User]

TELLIT01 said: Partners in life are generally expected to be of mutual support to each other.

I agree, but it goes both ways, my partner and I try to split everything 50/50 (obviously this may no longer be possible).
UC deemed I was entitled to more when not living with partner, but if living with them, in my opinion at least, they are passing a financial burden of >£400 on to my partner in exchange for the luxury of living together. When I was living with my parents, what they earned did not have an effect on what I received - but now that I'm living with partner it does, just doesn't add up to me.

Nannytone

Your parents are not classed as the same household as you when it comes to benefits.  Onsread you are a non dependant adult.
Your partner however is exactly what it says on the tin....  your PARTNER.

I receive means tested benefit myself, so am not being judgemental.

I dont understand why you feel it more acceptable to ask strangers to support you financially, than you do your own partner with whom you sgare a bed and a life

Alice_Holt

OP -  did you miss this?

If your PIP includes the daily living part does your UC include the carers element because your partner will be able to claim f they're looking after you for at least 35 hours per week?

Carers element is c. £164 pm.


Re your opening post, the person to raise this with is your PM, Sec of state for the DWP, etc.
However as stated above UC looks at household (not individual) income for a couple. Couples are assumed to support each other. 

https://ifs.org.uk/uploads/publications/bns/Universal credit and its impact on household incomes the long and the short of it BN248.pdf


In addition to engaging with your elected representative, you could also support those charities seeking to help disabled people on benefits / children whose households are experiencing poverty (https://cpag.org.uk/child-poverty/who-risk-poverty) /  etc.

How does your UC break down?
What elements are you receiving?
What PIP award have you got?
Did you do a benefit check before moving in?

poppy12345

TheT_RexFromJurassicPark said:

TELLIT01 said: Partners in life are generally expected to be of mutual support to each other.

UC deemed I was entitled to more when not living with partner, but if living with them, in my opinion at least, they are passing a financial burden of >£400 on to my partner in exchange for the luxury of living together. When I was living with my parents, what they earned did not have an effect on what I received - but now that I'm living with partner it does, just doesn't add up to me.

I know i'm stating the obvious here but that was because you weren't living together. When you live together and claim a means tested benefit then it considers both of your circumstances.

tomtom256

You blame the government, but you decided to move in with a partner. Did you do any affordability checks etc before hand?

[Deleted User]

Nannytone said:

I receive means tested benefit myself, so am not being judgemental.

Followed by:

Nannytone said:

I dont understand why you feel it more acceptable to ask strangers to support you financially, than you do your own partner with whom you sgare a bed and a life

Seems slightly judgmental there...

I did mention above, I'm well aware it's a means tested benefit
TheT_RexFromJurassicPark said:
 UC is means tested as you said and I'm under no illusions that it's a gov sponsored charity- it's taxpayers money. 

At no stage did I say I felt it more acceptable to "ask strangers" rather than my partner. Receiving a benefit your entitled to as a citizen living in a modern society with a welfare system is not asking strangers for money - I paid my tax when I was fit to work, some of that money went to the benefits system - that is the entire purpose of it, you pay tax, support society, if circumstances arise and you need help, you are entitled to the same.

And I did not come on this forum to argue and cry over the situation, as I said in the OP, I wanted peoples opinions on it. You are entitled to yours, but I don't agree with you