Splitting a joint universal claim

kev121

Hi, does anyone know what happens if a couple split a joint claim before the 2nd payment is due within assessment period, get 2 payments per month and due the 2nd part of payment so if theirs a split in claim is their an entitlement to 2nd payment . Or Isit new claim and wait for payment in next assessment period , thanks for any help their is zero information online about this enquiry 

Alex_Alumni

Hello @kev121 and thanks for posting your query here on the community, to help our members find it and share their thoughts I've marked it as unanswered, as it's not one I have the knowledge to answer straight away. 

If you have any further questions or need a hand with looking around the forum then please do ask, and I hope you enjoy your afternoon

Alex

calcotti

kev121 said:

Hi, does anyone know what happens if a couple split a joint claim before the 2nd payment is due within assessment period, get 2 payments per month and due the 2nd part of payment so if theirs a split in claim is their an entitlement to 2nd payment .

The second payment is just a deferred part payment of what was due on the date of the first payment calculated on the previous month's circumstances so that second payment should not be affected. 

kev121

calcotti said:

kev121 said:

Hi, does anyone know what happens if a couple split a joint claim before the 2nd payment is due within assessment period, get 2 payments per month and due the 2nd part of payment so if theirs a split in claim is their an entitlement to 2nd payment .

The second payment is just a deferred part payment of what was due on the date of the first payment calculated on the previous month's circumstances so that second payment should not be affected. 

Hi thanks for the reply , so would they split this between the couple and add the payment to new claims after calculating who was due what and child parts , seems confusing as it looks like new claims will be made after the split in claim with the deferred payment part due to be paid , thanks again for any help 

calcotti

kev121 said:.. so would they split this between the couple and add the payment to new claims..

I don't believe so. As explained in my earlier reply the whole payment was due at the time of the first payment, it was only split into two because you (the claimant) requested it. The second payment will therefore logically be paid into the same account as previous payments without any modification.

Say your UC period runs from 7th to 6th of the month.
The payment for 7th March to 6th April is due on 13th April.
If you choose to have it paid in two parts you get paid on 13th April and 27th April.
The fact that you separate on, say, 20th April makes no difference to the above.

I think that on 13th May each of them will be due a UC payment based on them being a single claimant for the whole of the period from 7th April to 6th May (even though the separation only took place on 20th April).

Sue_Alumni

I agree,

The change to the UC payment applies at the start of the Assessment Period in which the change of circumstance occurs provided you report it in that Assessment period.  UC is paid in arrears so the fact that you receive 2 payments of UC during an Assessment period is not relevant. I would suggest that thinking of this as “splitting” the claim is not quite accurate as whilst neither of you are required to reclaim UC you will have 2 separate single person claims with, if appropriate, elements for housing costs and children and, perhaps other elements as well.  This all presupposes that you both still satisfy the basic eligibility for UC.