Your Universal Credit payment will be made up of different amounts depending on your circumstances. © Copyright 2021 The Money Advice Service 120 Holborn, London EC1N 2TD, Find out more about which benefits are being replaced and how Universal Credit works in our guide, Find out which accounts are best for Universal Credit in our guide, For more things to consider when you’re deciding whether to manage your money together, see our guide, Read more in the guide Universal Credit: further information for couples on the, - Get free trusted guidance and links to direct support, Clear English Award - Opens in a new window, Money manager for Universal Credit claimants, Workplace pensions contribution calculator. Find out how you are paid Universal Credit. Perhaps you get paid weekly or do your budget weekly. If you have children or a limited capability to work, you will be given a “work allowance” – this is an amount of money you can earn each month, without it affecting your Universal Credit. The universal credit (UC) regulations state that a single claim may be made where one member of a couple is a person subject to immigration control due to having no recourse to public funds ( … Sanctions are a last resort and you will always be asked for your reasons for your actions before a decision is made. You can apply for a wider range of jobs and get back to work sooner because Universal Credit tops up your earnings if you’re on a low income. All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated, My partner won’t allow me access to any of the payment, If you have a health condition or disability which means you cannot work, If you are caring for a severely disabled person. If you live in Scotland you can choose to be paid twice monthly. How does Universal Credit affect couples? Universal Credit is gradually replacing certain benefits. To receive Universal Credit payments, you will need to have a bank, building society or credit union account that can make and receive payments. If you or your partner get Carer’s Allowance, your Universal Credit payment will be reduced by £1 for every £1 you receive from Carer’s Allowance. Universal Credit provides a new single system of support for working-age people who are in or out of work. The replaced benefits … You can make the claim separately or together. Give us a call for free and impartial money advice. If one of you isn’t eligible, their capital and income may still be taken into account. You can agree ground rules for spending, like when it’s OK to go ahead and buy something and when you have to discuss it with your partner first. You begin by creating a Universal Credit online account each. If you live as a couple and you claim Universal Credit, you’ll get a single monthly payment for your household so you might need to make some changes to the way you budget. Sundays 9am to 10pm. From 15 May 2019 most couples will not be able to qualify for Pension Credit until both partners have reached Pension Credit qualifying age. This may mean that you miss out on benefit payments that you are entitled to. This amount will be deducted automatically from your Universal Credit payment. Universal Credit replaces some existing benefits and tax credits for people of working age who are either out of work or working and on a low income. As a couple you will receive one monthly payment. But if you approach it in the right way, and follow a few simple dos and don’ts, you’ll soon realise how much better you feel when you’ve got your family finances in order and any issues are out in the open. Call 0345 300 3900 or write to the Tax Credit Office to tell them you’re now claiming Universal Credit. If either or both of you’re working, you might be able to claim Universal Credit if you take home less than £541 a month between you. : financial help during the coronavirus outbreak, Self-employed: financial help if you’re sick or self-isolating, Child Benefit for people earning £50,000+. Universal Credit is a benefit for working age people, so usually, pensioners do not qualify for it. This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. internet browsers with JavaScript. If a sanction is applied to your Universal Credit we will tell you how much you will lose and for how long. This page tells you more about joint Universal Credit claims. Once you’ve created your account a claim can be made for Universal Credit. If you have a change in your circumstances you must report it through your online Universal Credit account. With Universal Credit you’ll get help identifying your skills and a clear job search plan to help you get back to work more quickly. There is a tool on the GOV.UK website that gives the qualifying date based on … You are also jointly liable for any debts taken out in both your names. UNIVERSAL Credit replaces six benefits with a single monthly payment. You should aim to complete the application as soon as possible to get your claim started. Your Universal Credit won't be affected if you refuse to take up a job offer. Universal Credit is being introduced in stages and other eligibility conditions may apply. You can take temporary jobs to help you gain valuable skills and avoid CV gaps because with Universal Credit it’s quick and easy to resume your claim. Choosing a bank account for your benefit payments, Make sure you’re getting the right entitlements, Where can I get help and advice about benefits, Benefit sanctions and what to do about them, Personal Independence Payment – an introduction. Universal Credit is replacing 6 other benefits with a single monthly payment if you're out of work or on a low income - eligibility, how to prepare. It gives you both equal control over the money but there are a few things you need to think about before you open one. If … A severely disabled person is defined as someone receiving one or more of the following: This also applies if the severely disabled person has claimed one of these benefits and is awaiting the outcome. In Scotland, you can choose whether to pay rent to your landlord yourselves or have it paid directly. The Universal Credit earnings taper rate is currently 63%. This will be paid into a suitable account of your choice, which could be a joint account or a single account in either your name or your partner’s name. There might be some things you’ll need to do differently when you’re on Universal Credit and you might need to make some changes. You can use childcare vouchers and universal credit together but you CAN'T get universal credit at the same time as claiming under the tax-free childcare scheme. You don’t have to put up with it or suffer in silence. Calls are free. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone. separate Payment – all of your Universal Credit payment goes into your account. Whether you decide to go for a joint account or to keep your money separate make sure that the account you choose is right for you and your Universal Credit payments. Example You have a child and get money for housing costs in your Universal Credit payment. A joint account can make budgeting a lot easier. This will help you prepare for and manage the world of work as you get used to handling your money on a monthly basis. If you and your partner are making a joint claim for Universal Credit you both need to be eligible. We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services. This will be significantly lower than Pension Credit. Disability benefits and entitlements for children, Grants and benefits if you're studying and have a baby, Joint Universal Credit claims for couples. If you do not do what you’ve agreed to in your Claimant Commitment to find work, for example, fail to attend appointments or turn down job offers you may receive a sanction. This ensures the accounts are joined together and you are correctly claiming as a couple. Add +44 7701 342744 to your Whatsapp and send us a message. Call 0800 144 8444 in England or 0800 024 1220 in Wales. This page explains how Universal Credit is different from existing benefits, how much you’ll be paid and how to apply for it. It also includes amounts for children (but not usually a third or subsequent child born on or after 6 April 2017). Surplus earnings If you’re claiming Universal Credit, your earnings from previous months may … If a state pensioner has a partner who is below state pension age, the … If you claim Universal Credit as a couple both of you will need to accept a Claimant Commitment. When you start working, the amount of Universal Credit you get will gradually reduce as you earn more money. Universal Credit for sick or disabled people, How much Income Tax and National Insurance you should pay, We can’t separate money worries from our mental health. You will each be expected to look or prepare for work for 35 hours a week, depending on your circumstances. Your Universal Credit claim will only be closed when there is no payment to either you or your landlord. Our general email address is You will each have your own Claimant Commitment, and yours may be affected if your partner starts work or their circumstances change. If you are caring for a severely disabled person or persons for a total of 35 hours or more per week you will not be expected to look for work or do job-related activities. Talking about money with our partners can be quite difficult to get right. You can claim Universal Credit if you and/or your partner are in employed or self-employed work and are on a low income. Universal Credit. Universal Credit includes an amount for you, and your partner if you live with one. Your Universal Credit decreases gradually as you earn more. In Northern Ireland, Universal Credit works differently. Universal Credit: further information for couples, nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3, Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support, Transparency and freedom of information releases, be married to each other, civil partners of each other, or living together as if you were married, not be in full–time advanced education (except in certain circumstances such as if you are responsible for a child, or receive certain disability benefits and have a limited capacity for work), not have joint savings or capital over £16,000, have limited capability for work or are awaiting assessment to see whether you have limited capability for work, are a carer for a severely disabled person, are responsible for a child, or are part of a couple and your partner is responsible for a child, are pregnant and it is 11 weeks or less until your due date, or were pregnant and it is 15 weeks or less since your due date, living with a disability or health condition that affects your ability to work. In Universal Credit, couples make a joint claim to Universal Credit and both are responsible for meeting the entitlement conditions, reporting any changes in their circumstances and ensuring that all information relating to their claim is current and correct. In April 2020, the Government made changes to universal credit, including upping the monthly basic rate by £20 a week and suspending the minimum income floor for the self-employed. Our advisers will point you in the right direction. This will include activities such as getting help with drafting your CV, applying for jobs using find a job or contacting employers directly. We use some essential cookies to make this website work. How do savings and lump sum pay-outs affect benefits? If you or your partner have a health condition or disability which affects the amount or type of work you can do, that will be taken into account to decide the job-related activities you’ll be expected to do. This is because you cannot claim Universal Credit and tax credits at the same time. If one of you is working You can claim Universal Credit if you and/or your partner are in employed or self-employed work and are on a low income. At the moment, if one of you is already getting any of the benefits being replaced by Universal Credit, these benefits will stop as you will have to make a new claim as a couple. Once you earn more than your work allowance your Universal Credit payments will be reduced at a steady rate. If you’re worried about your partner taking control of the money and leaving you without access to cash, it’s important to know this is financial abuse. You will be responsible for paying your landlord yourselves. Sign in to your Universal Credit account - report a change, add a note to your journal, see your payments and do other tasks We use some essential cookies to … You might be asked to claim Universal Credit as a couple if you live in the same household and are: If you’re claiming Universal Credit for the first time, Citizens Advice has a dedicated service to help you. You’ll be asked to say which account your money should be paid into and this can be either: If you have children, your work coach will tell you your Universal Credit payment should go into the bank account of the main carer. A range of support services are available if you need help with budgeting and managing your money. This means that for every £1 you earn over your work allowance (if you are eligible for one) your Universal Credit will be reduced by 63p. If you live in Scotland you can get paid once or twice a month. This is known as the Universal Credit earnings taper. Go to our Budget planner. For more information and to find your local Citizens Advice on their website. Depending on your circumstances, you could still get support and advice on increasing your earnings when you’re in work. This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/universal-credit-and-couples-an-introduction/universal-credit-further-information-for-couples. If you’re now going to be responsible for paying rent yourselves, it’s worth thinking about to setting up automatic payments (like standing orders or Direct Debits) for all your regular bills after you get your first Universal Credit payment. If you need help with your claim, call the Universal Credit helpline free on: Telephone: 0800 328 5644 Universal credit: Pensioners This section of the website explains the interactions between Universal Credit, Pension Credit and tax credits for people who have reached state pension credit qualifying age. So if your partner runs up an overdraft on a joint bank account, you’ll also be responsible for paying it off. You’ll be asked more questions to check your eligibility when you make a claim for Universal Credit. You can change your cookie settings at any time. This will help ensure you are better off in work. What benefits can I claim when I'm pregnant or have a baby? Universal credit is paid monthly in arrears and there is a five- to six-week wait for the payments to start. Should you manage money jointly or separately? If you are not currently receiving Working Tax Credit you may be entitled to Universal Credit, the calculator will check your entitlement to this benefit. Unlike Jobseeker’s Allowance your payment won’t stop when you work more than 16 hours a week. The role of your jobcentre adviser changes under Universal Credit as they become your individual work coach. UNIVERSAL Credit payments are one of several open to people during the nationwide lockdown, as Government subsidies seek to prop up those … If you have children you may be able to make a Universal Credit claim if you live in certain parts of the country. Moving from DLA to PIP – coping with income changes, Moving from DLA to PIP – what to do if your award is reduced or stopped. As soon as you make the claim, the tax credits will stop and you might have to think about how you’ll manage for money until you get your first joint Universal Credit payment. Even so, you may be required to phone your work coach to discuss the activities you are able to do. You’re both quite like-minded when it comes to money and have similar spending patterns, habits and behaviours. 3 Q. Wherever possible, these alternative payment arrangements will be temporary. There are domestic abuse support officers in every Jobcentre Plus in the UK. In Scotland, call 0800 023 2581, via webchat on the Citizens Advice website or contact your local bureau directly during their usual business hours. If you don’t tell the Department for Work and Pensions that you have started work, they won’t know why you are no longer attending your appointments, and will assume that you no longer wish to receive Universal Credit. If you have a partner and one of you is below State Pension age and not working, and neither of you are eligible for the severe disability premium, you'll have to claim Universal Credit instead. What benefits can I claim if I am divorcing or separating? One blunder follows another. In case you think raising the tax threshold helps the low-paid, the Lib Dem flagship clashes into universal credit. Those needing money immediately can … You can make the claim separately or together. If you or your partner are getting any of the benefits being replaced by Universal Credit, these other benefits will stop when you make your Universal Credit claim as a couple. In Northern Ireland you are automatically paid twice monthly. Got a question? Contact the Universal Credit helpline to get help making your claim online. It replaces a number of existing benefits Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned. You should think of jobseeking as your job. Your work allowance is … If 28 days pass and a claim is not made you’ll need to register for an online account again. They should make a joint claim because the DWP need to know about both your incomes. A sanction is a reduction in your benefit which is imposed if we think you have not completed a mandatory activity you agreed on your Claimant Commitment and you can’t give a good reason to explain why. If you fill out the online form on behalf of your spouse or partner you will need to enter their details too. how much will be left over to divide between you for personal spending. It may be appropriate in some cases for a surviving spouse or partner to make a new claim for the same benefit, for example, this might apply to child benefit or universal credit. How to budget for a monthly benefit payment, talking about money and how to have those difficult conversations here. how much you need to take care of essential payments, who will be responsible for paying the bills, rent or mortgage. Relying on a single joint payment might cause problems for some couples. Textphone: 0800 328 1344. The first person to create their account will be given a partner code, which will be displayed on screen. They’re trained to help you deal with these situations and offer practical support if you’re in need. split Payment – your Universal Credit payment is split between you and paid into separate bank accounts. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk. In Northern Ireland your rent is automatically paid to your landlord but you can choose to pay it yourselves. You can get some income without reducing your Universal Credit payment if you In Scotland, you might be offered some choices about how your Universal Credit is paid. You can earn a certain amount before your Universal Credit is reduced if you or your partner are either: This is called a ‘work allowance’. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. If you are entitled to both the carer’s amount and the ‘limited capability for work’ or ‘limited capability for work and work-related activity’ amount (see below for more information), you won’t receive both. Job-related activities that count towards your 35 hours can include: What you’re asked to do will take into account your circumstances, such as if you have children or other caring commitments. If you’re worried about any of these issues talk to your work coach or the Universal Credit helpline and ask for an Alternative Payment Arrangement. For more information on budgeting support the Money Advice Service have an online money manager support tool which provides free and impartial budgeting information and advice based on your personal circumstances. Need help sorting out your debts, have credit questions or want pensions guidance? If you fill out the online form on behalf of your spouse or partner … Explanation of Universal Credit and Pension Age couples and how it affects your benefits claim, and work out your entitlement. If you don’t do this within one month of the change (or when you became aware of the change) you may be charged a £300 penalty. If you have any concerns about accessing your payments and need to discuss alternative payment arrangements a Universal Credit helpline is available. Just living with someone, or being married to them, will not affect your credit score but if you open a joint bank account together you’ll be ‘co-scored’. What disability and sickness benefits can I claim? Your Universal Credit payments may be cut if you don’t meet your responsibilities. Universal Credit is a new benefit to support you if you’re working and on a low income or you’re out of work. If you are unsure about your eligibility please complete an online application form. It can include support for the cost of housing, children and childcare, as well as support for disabled people and carers. Universal credit can help by paying back up to 85% of your childcare costs (to a maximum of £646 for one … Find out more on the nidirect website. Your work allowance is lower if you get help with housing costs. Monday to Saturday, 8am to 10pm You must tell the Department for Work and Pensions when your circumstances change, including when you start work, earn more or change the number of hours you work. If one of you isn’t eligible, the other person can still claim Universal Credit. enquiries@maps.org.uk. If you get one of those benefits, you’ll have to move onto Universal Credit by 2024. You can talk about money with your partner without arguing. This could affect your own credit rating. To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. When a child dies, any money in their Child Trust Fund account or Junior ISA – including any payments they have received from the government – usually passes to whoever inherits the child's estate. It's up to the DWP to decide if they'll include it when they work out how much Universal Credit you'll get. To claim Universal Credit as a couple, both you and your partner must: If you’re over Pension Credit qualifying age, you can claim Universal Credit if you have a partner who’s under Pension Credit qualifying age. Some changes must be reported to HMRC, these are changes that are likely to reduce your award. One of you has a problem with over-spending and finds it difficult to stick to a budget. Draw up a household budget together if you haven’t got one already. What happens if my partner or I get a job? In return you will need to take personal responsibility for finding work. Universal Credit replaces some existing benefits and tax credits for people of working age who are either out of work or working and on a low income. Universal Credit has replaced existing benefits with one monthly payment It pays up to £409.89 a month for a single person over 25 Hundreds of thousands of … Managing money as a couple on Universal Credit, If you’re worried about joint Universal Credit payments. This code will need to be input by your partner when they register for their Universal Credit online account. You’re working and earn £500 during your assessment period. Universal credit is a benefit for working-age people, which was introduced to replace six benefits and merge them into one payment. If you refuse a pay increase, you won't get sanctioned but the DWP might treat you as having that income. Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. You should report changes … The Department for Work and Pensions counts 2 people as being in a couple if they live in the same household and are: If you are part of a couple you and your partner will need to make a joint claim for Universal Credit. Ideally your account should allow you to make automated payments out of the account – such as direct debits or standing orders – for bills such as rent, gas and electricity. Choosing a bank account for your benefit payments. You can agree on a budget or spending plan. Instead, you will both need to make a joint claim for Universal Credit. Find out what Universal Credit you will get. In England and Wales, if you get help with your rent, you’ll get an amount for housing costs in your single monthly payment. For everything else please contact us via Webchat or Telephone. And for some of us it can even be a source of argument and frustration. Should you manage your money jointly or separately? Universal Credit is replacing: Housing Benefit income-related Employment and Support Universal Credit advance payments and other help, Coronavirus – what it means for you and what you’re entitled to, Employed, off sick or self-isolating: claiming Statutory Sick Pay, What type of worker are you? If both of you are unemployed and able to work, you will both be expected to look for work.  |  Overpayments will start to build up from the date of the change if there is a decrease in your award as a result. If you fail to report a change during the tax year and then confirm the incorrect information as part of your renewal the penalty could be up to £3,000. This is intended to support you to start work or get ready for work in the future, if and when you are able. Universal Credit may be able to be claimed by a state pensioner if they claim with a partner. If your partner has mental health problems or misuses drugs or alcohol, this could also lead to them taking money you’ve set aside for essentials or to overspending erratically. It is up to you to do everything you can to support yourself and your family. Alternative payment arrangements are considered on a case-by-case basis and assessed on their individual merits. - Get free trusted guidance and links to direct support, This article appears in:  They will set you challenging targets to make sure you are doing everything you can to find a job. You’ll have 28 days from creating the account to make a claim. Sorry, web chat is only available on This allows for the household payment to be split where this is the right approach for you and your family. Whether you can claim it will depend on where you live and your personal circumstances. UC also includes extra for disabled children (however, this may be less than you receive for disabled children in tax credits). 8am - 6pm, Monday to Friday (closed on bank and public holidays). How will moving to Universal Credit affect me? Read our guide to Universal Credit in Scotland. Draw up a household budget together if you haven’t got one already. Benefits This is because Universal Credit is based on household income and you can’t claim Universal Credit and tax credits at the same time. Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays, closed. Telephone: 0345 300 3900 We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. If you’re claiming Universal Credit and start living with a partner who claims tax credits, they’ll no longer be able to receive them. Taking control of debt, free debt advice, improving your credit score and low-cost borrowing, Renting, buying a home and choosing the right mortgage, Running a bank account, planning your finances, cutting costs, saving money and getting started with investing, Understanding your employment rights, dealing with redundancy, benefit entitlements and Universal Credit, Planning your retirement, automatic enrolment, types of pension and retirement income, Having a baby, divorce and separation, what to do when someone’s died, choosing and paying for care services, Buying, running and selling a car, buying holiday money and sending money abroad, Protecting your home and family with the right insurance policies, Coronavirus Money Guidance Does my partner have to close their tax credit claim if I claim Universal Credit? You and your partner can claim Universal Credit as a couple if one of you is under State Pension age and eligible for Universal Credit.

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