Hi, my name is shanlou! Can anyone give me some advice, my partner and I live in our van...

shanlou

Can anyone give me some advice, my partner and I live in our van. We've lost everything. He has a small electronics business but it's not doing good. He refuses to claim universal credit. I can't work due to disability issues, can I claim universal credit on my own. He is refusing to allow DWP to have any access to his bank account to make a joint claim. And now I'm in a desperate situation

Holly_Scope

Hi @shanlou and welcome to the community. Bless you, it sounds like you've been through an ordeal. Yes, you're able to claim. Do you have your own Bank account? It might be worth having a chat to someone at either Turn2us or Citizens Advice as they'll be able to talk you through the options available for you, and help you understand what you might be entitled to. Is the van a temporary living arrangement? As if so, you could contact your local council about how they can support with housing here - Council housing: Apply for a council home - GOV.UK

I hope the above is helpful and you're able to get something in place soon.

Best wishes,

OverlyAnxious

I'm not sure they can claim UC on their own? It's not possible if they live with a partner in fixed accommodation, though I don't know whether living in a van would create a loophole there.

They could claim PIP on their own.

Holly_Scope

Thanks @OverlyAnxious. I'd say it's definitely worth having a chat with an advisor at Turn2Us or Citizens advice to understand if there's some type of benefit support available. 😊