Universal credit change of circumstances

bluefate

Hi there. 

I’m pretty sure, although can’t be certain, that I will soon have a change of circumstances with my universal credit. 

Currently, I have a joint claim consisting of LCWRA and carers element added on. The person on my claim who claims the carers for me may be leaving the property and returning to her home city. 

I’m concerned how this will affect my universal credit and if so, how long will I have to go without money. If this change was to happen within the next week, I’ll have about 2 weeks before I’m due a payment so concerned I won’t be able to pay my rent. 

poppy123456

If your partner moves out then you will both need to report a change of circumstances and tell then you're no longer living together. 

You will keep the same assessment periods and payment date that you have now. The only difference will be that you'll be a single claim.

UC is based on your circumstances on the last day of each assessment period. This means if they move out before that date then your next payment will be for a single person, not a couple. Which means you'll be entitled to less money. 

You should also keep a copy of the decision letter for the work capability assessment because when going from joint to single claim you lose everything that's on your journal.