I need to report my previous earning for UC assessment. My partner and I split up, so what do I put?

vfawcett4

Hi iv just finished my assessment period for universal credit its now asked me on my to do list questions about my previous earnings for 12 months prior to me claiming universal credit, now i have my earnings but not my ex partners figures, we split up hence my claimnfor universal credit now i know roughly what he earnt while we were together but not sure on the exact figure,so what exactly shall i enter when they ask you for each months figures fir the previous 12 months? 

calcotti

If you are now a single claimant I think it is only your own earnings that matter. The reason the question is asked is to check whether you benefit from a grace period before the benefit cap can be applied (which may not be applicable anyway).

vfawcett4

Ah right as it aks if i had a partner for 12 months previous to my current singke claim for uc which i did,, it was only because we split up i strated to claim 

vfawcett4

It maybe best if i phone uc tomorrow to check seen as it asks if i was living with a partner 12 months prior to my claim 

calcotti

vfawcett4 said:

Ah right as it aks if i had a partner for 12 months previous to my current singke claim for uc which i did,, it was only because we split up i strated to claim 

That presumably is a different question to the one about the earnings. It would not be reasonable to expect someone to know what a partner they are no longer with earned in the past. 
However hopefully if you ring you’ll get someone who knows the answer.

vfawcett4

I know, im not in the relationship due to domestic abuse and im still in the same house and we live totally separate, im looking for another house for me and my children butbits proving more than difficult, its not like i can ask my ex for the exact figures thst uc need il phone them tomorrow and explain they can always check through the inland revenue anyway 

Adrian_Scope

calcotti said:

If you are now a single claimant I think it is only your own earnings that matter. The reason the question is asked is to check whether you benefit from a grace period before the benefit cap can be applied (which may not be applicable anyway).

An ex-partner's earnings are relevant when calculating eligibility for the grace period of the benefit cap. 

Adrian_Scope

@vfawcett4. I'm sorry to read your relationship ended due to domestic abuse. Have you reported the abuse to the police? Women's Aid may be of some use to you with regards to housing and your rights etc. 

calcotti

Adrian_Scope said:

calcotti said:

If you are now a single claimant I think it is only your own earnings that matter. The reason the question is asked is to check whether you benefit from a grace period before the benefit cap can be applied (which may not be applicable anyway).

An ex-partner's earnings are relevant when calculating eligibility for the grace period of the benefit cap. 

Thanks Adrian, I didn't know that. I should have done because i can see it is clearly stated here.
Benefit cap: When the benefit cap affects your Universal Credit payments - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Your partner’s earnings will be included when working out how much you earned even if they’re not claiming benefits. If you have separated from your partner, their earnings will be included for the time that you lived with them before you separated.

As in the case of this thread, could be very difficult for a claimant to determine!

vfawcett4

I spoke to uc and they said i have to put that t i was living with a partner 12 months previous to my claim but just to take my earnings into account 

vfawcett4

As i dont have access to my ex partners earnings 

Tori_Scope

Thanks for the update @vfawcett4 How have you been getting on with answering the questions?