Separation from husband, Joint home owner and claiming Universal credit

karenlouisee · 29 September 2023 at 1:47PM

Are there any situations people know of where UC will disregard an asset (mortgaged property) and still allow you to claim UC? I understand after a separation they do this for 6 months and then if it is put up for sale then will disregard for another 6 months, but will they ever disregard long term/indefinitely?

I have a home with joint equity of 70k so would be over the 16k threshold for claiming. We have two disabled children who I will be main carer for. I would like the children to grow up in part in our current mortgaged family home with one of us parents, but I would still need to be able to claim UC. I think I would need to be the one who moves out and partner stay in the home, it would be a 60/40 split of children with the 60% with me in a different rented home if that is possible.

Rubyroobs · 29 September 2023 at 2:36PM

I think the only way would be for you to stay in the home. Otherwise if you are claiming the rent element of Uc they would expect the house to be being sold or him to be looking to buy you out. I think it can be disregarded if a child under a certain age is living there most of the time but that doesn't seem to be the case for you as they will mostly be living with you and you will be classed as their main carer. If he buys you out of your share you obviously wouldn't qualify for UC and if the house is sold and you received more than 16k you also wouldn't qualify for UC until savings dropped below 16k again. Have you considered taking the equity and perhaps considering shared ownership ? Whilst Uc would stop you would still get DLA, CB etc.