Hypothetical question re uc

janer1967
janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
in Universal Credit (UC)
Hi to the benefits gurus 

This is a hypothetical question so don't get excited it isn't happening but just curious and it may help others 

I am on uc what would happen if I got married but we didn't live together (strange I know ) 

Would we be treated as a couple for uc . 

My partner works away most of week he has his own house and stays there as well as being liable for all bills there etc 

He stays at mine 1 or 2 nights a week 

I know this doesn't affect my uc currently but if we married but had the same living arrangement would this change my uc claim 

Due to his earnings I know I would lose uc if we lived together but just curious to know how it would work if we married but didn't live together 

Thanks for any insight 
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Comments

  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    If you are married but not living together then you are not, in my opinion, living together as a married couple and should still be able to receive UC as single claimants. That would be clear for people who choose to keep separate households and separate finances. You are not sharing a household and therefore cannot be living together as a married couple. To be a couple you have to be considered to be 'members of the same household'.
    Have a look at
    https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/661551/adme4.pdf

    Where the separation is due to work then the separation may be considered temporary and you could be treated as being a couple.

  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    Thanks for that @calcotti

    Bit complicated as it talks about can be seen as couple if long term commitment being faithful , public knowledge etc which would all be associated with marriage 

    But interesting read thanks 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    But note:

    E4002  “Couple” means

    1. two people who are married to, or civil partners of, each other and are

      members of the same household or

    2. two people who are not married to, or civil partners of, each other but are

      LTAMC.

    If you are not members of the same household you are not a couple even if married.

    If someone is temporarily absent is whether or not they remain members of these household.

    I think, in your case, if you have never lived together even if you got married it would be difficult for DWP to determine that you are members of the same household. 

  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    The reason we don't live together isn't down to him working away 

    He owns his own house and lives with his son if he isn't working away he would stay there majority of  time 

    We both like our own space also keeping his house as investment till he retires to then sell and buy abroad 

    We have completely seperate finances and neither of us contribute to the other ones living expenses 

    On a personal note I can't see the point of us getting married if we are not going to live together 

    The plan is to move abroad and live together when he retires 

    @Biblioklept not had proposal as such but he has asked few questions on  my thoughts on the topic which I have said I wouldn't get married again 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    janer1967 said:
    The reason we don't live together isn't down to him working away 

    He owns his own house and lives with his son if he isn't working away he would stay there majority of  time 

    We both like our own space also keeping his house as investment till he retires to then sell and buy abroad 

    We have completely seperate finances and neither of us contribute to the other ones living expenses 
    In that case you will not be a couple for UC even if married.
    janer1967 said:
    The plan is to move abroad and live together when he retires 
    Obviously not so easy now since leaving EU but good luck with that when the time comes. 
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    Thanks @calcotti for all your help 

    Better not show him this or he might get down on one knee 😤 
  • dp267p
    dp267p Online Community Member Posts: 69 Connected
    Just curious about the separate finances bit:

    what happens if you’re sending each other money for things like food and films when you spend time together. Even though you have separate houses, bills etc and lives?

    does that look bad?
  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    I think splitting bills for food and films etc., is something that happens in a lot of relationships and friendships @dp267p, and it is not something the DWP will be worried about or looking for. 

    Does that make sense? :)
  • dp267p
    dp267p Online Community Member Posts: 69 Connected
    Yeah I see what you mean. I mean generally in case they think your partner is financially supporting you. I am paranoid about accusations. 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    dp267p said:
    Yeah I see what you mean. I mean generally in case they think your partner is financially supporting you. I am paranoid about accusations. 

    You can have a partner but not live together. You can also live with another person and not be in a relationship. None of those will affect the benefits you're entitled to.
  • SueHeath
    SueHeath Online Community Member Posts: 12,388 Championing
    @Sandy_123 @Sandy_123 @Sandy_123 have you seen this from @janer1967 <3<3<3 I've never been a Brides Maid have you ????? xxxxx
  • Sandy_123
    Sandy_123 Scope Member Posts: 62,922 Championing
    Lol Sue  no never been bridesmaid  been matron of honour once. Shall we put our names on guest list
  • SueHeath
    SueHeath Online Community Member Posts: 12,388 Championing
    Yep deff if we play our cards right we could make a weekend of it @Sandy_123 ha ha xx
  • Sandy_123
    Sandy_123 Scope Member Posts: 62,922 Championing
    Yeah get the train at new street, sorted
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    @SueHeath @Sandy_123
    Took you both a long time to find this lol 

    Don't book the train tickets for at least 10 years by time it's likely it will be.space travel not trains lol 

    Also if it was to happen we would just jet off somewhere and do no fuss lol 
  • Sandy_123
    Sandy_123 Scope Member Posts: 62,922 Championing
    But we bought hats
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    @Sandy_123 they will come in for ladies day at the races x 
  • SueHeath
    SueHeath Online Community Member Posts: 12,388 Championing
    I'm Sorry upset tonight @janer1967 bbbbbooooooooooooooooo  hhhooooooooooooooooooo xxx
  • Sandy_123
    Sandy_123 Scope Member Posts: 62,922 Championing
    Haha shall we all go there instead
  • L_Volunteer
    L_Volunteer Community Volunteer Adviser, Scope Member Posts: 7,922 Championing
    Hello all! How are we all doing today? I hope we are all well. If anyone needs anything though, we are all here for you  :)

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