Help! UC and relationships

louiseknowles

Hi,

I am a lone parent on UC , I'm a carer to my disabled son and also receive LCWRA.
My partner was thinking about us moving in together but he works on a zero hour contract and really doesn't want to go on Universal credit due to them possibly forcing him to look for more work, or go into the job centre and complete activities etc... How would this work for us if he moved in?
Thanks in advance 

poppy123456

If he moved in with you then you will need to report a change of circumstances on your journal and tell them your partner is now living with you. You will then be sent a linking code.

Your partner will then need to claim UC theirself because it's a means tested benefit and you need to claim as a couple. He can then use the linking code to join both claims together.

Your UC entitlement will then be based on your joint circumstances. You will have the work allowance which means a certain amount of earnings received each month will be disregarded before the 55% deductions apply. If you claim for help with any rent your work allowance will be £379/month, if you don't it will be £631/month.

If he receives at least £988/month earnings then he will be in the no work requirements group.

You mention being a carer for your son but because you're receiving LCWRA element for yourself then your UC at the moment will not include the carers element because the same person can't receive both elements at the same time. If you're claiming carers allowance this is just deducted in full from any UC entitlement so there's no financial gain to claiming it.

Your partner could claim carers element if they look after your son for at least 35 hours per week and then they will not have any work requirements regardless of earnings. However, if they do claim this then you'll need to cancel your carers allowance first.

Or, if you're claiming either daily living PIP, DLA mid/high rate care or ADP then your partner can claim carers element for looking after you and then there will be no need to claim it for your son.

Adrian_Scope

Good morning @louiseknowles and a warm welcome to the community. I hope @poppy123456's very detailed reply has been helpful but if you do have any more questions, please don't hesitate to ask.