Help with claiming Universal Credit

SevenChakras

I'll be applying for Universal Credit for the first time and just wondered whether anyone could give me a bit of guidance please.

My husband ended our relationship recently and we are still living under the same roof. He is beginning the process of cutting me off financially. The house is in his name and he pays all the bills. I am self-employed but make very little from this yet as it is early days. I also live with a number of health conditions that limit my ability to go out to work, but I do not claim any benefits for these.

My question is, will there be an opportunity during the application process to state that I am separated from my husband and that I do not wish to claim for housing costs at this time? Due to his income and that I am still living in his house, it is likely I might be turned down. Although I currently have a roof over my head, he wants us to live apart as soon as possible and I will no longer benefit from his income.

Any advice on the application process would be great please. Thank you.

Ginger70

If your relationship has ended then you can make a single persons claim for UC even though you still live in the same home.
Do you have children - if not your UC will be a fairly low amount approx £393.45 if your over 25 and £311.00 if your under 25 - not sure how your UC will be affected by your self employed status but I'm sure some lovely people will be along shortly with advice. Bear in mind savings can also affect UC.
Maybe its also time to make your health conditions official - especially if they affect your ability to work. That way you may be able to claim additional help whilst you get back on your feet.
Finally it doesn't matter if the house is in his name - if your married you should be entitled to a share of all joint assets on divorce - regardless of who paid the bills.

SevenChakras

@Ginger70 Thank you that is all very helpful. I do have a child and will include them on the application. There was mention of self-employment on the government information page for UC, although I don't really know how this will affect the UC. I guess it will reduce when I begin to draw a wage. Yes I think it is time to make the health conditions official. I tried PIP before and that was very stressful and eventually I got turned down. The house is another matter to tackle! Thank you so much, I appreciate your help.

itsthelittlethings

You can declare your health conditions on the UC application. This might mean you don’t have to look for work or are limited in what work you look for and you might eventually get extra money. Would your GP give you a fit note? (This is confusingly named but is to say you cannot work or are restricted in the work you can do).

poppy12345

It doesn't matter if the house is in his name, you are married and that's what matters. 

xxxxxxxx

To do this strictly legally, when the questions ask you if you have anyone else living with you, I believe you should answer "no" because your husband is no longer a member of your household.  

However, for 100% transparency I think you should leave a Journal Message to explain and tell the Work Coach at your first appointment that your husband lives in the same house.  

UC Work Coach might tell you to add your husband to your claim, to which, you should refuse and tell them if they have any doubts they should be asking for a Living Together Decision to be made, not telling you to add your husband just because they want it done that way.  

The fact he pays the mortgage(?) and all the bills could go against you.

SevenChakras

Thank you so much to you all for taking the time to help me, I very much appreciate it. You have given me some great advice and this will definitely help me in the application process. I have decided to ask Citizens Advice to help me apply, given that I have the complication of still living under the same roof and my health conditions. I need to make sure I am going about it the right way from the beginning so they don't refuse. Having never done this before it does feel daunting, but your support has really helped me. Thank you!

Newcad

Seperating but having to live under the same roof must be frustrating (and annoying) I should imagine.

But UC do recognise that it happens, especially in these days of housing shortage.

So although there may be some extra questions to make sure that you are genuinely seperated (seperate bank accounts etc.) a UC claim can be made sucessfully.

Hopefully your own claim will be problem free.