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AIBU?

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Original poster

Working couples who claim universal credit

38 replies

Pinkponyclub123 · 03/05/2025 13:56

This is a question for anyone in a couple claiming universal credit, where you are both working.
If one of you worked full time, and the other worked part time to save on childcare costs and do school runs ect, is it fair for the part time worker to use all of the universal credit money to pay for things needed for the household (eg kids clothes, school trips, ect) once they've paid the bills from their wages? Or should they transfer half of it to the full time worker because it's a joint claim? Bearing in mind part time workers wages are less than half of the full time workers.

OP posts:
Ukholidaysaregreat · 03/05/2025 16:38

This only works if both people will share equally. If it is in a joint pot and one person keeps dipping in it won't work.

Original poster
Pinkponyclub123 · 03/05/2025 15:45

Thanks for everyone's replies. It seems like it's the norm to put it all in one pot and divide up after expenses which surprises me as its something we've never done but it does sound like a good idea I think. Not that there's a lot left to divide up at the end!

OP posts:
legoplaybook · 03/05/2025 14:27

If you are claiming as a couple then surely you share finances as a couple?

Both partners should have equal free time and equal spending money. Start from there.

Work out how much total money you have coming in (eg £1000)
Work out what all the bills, kids clothes, birthday presents, car maintenance and school dinners cost (eg £900)
Split the rest so each adult has £50 each.

dubstepper · 03/05/2025 14:23

Not the point of the thread but wouldn’t it be better if we were paid proper wages so we didn’t need universal credit.

edit: just seen you’re part time apologies

HumptyNumptyDumpty · 03/05/2025 14:19

I was the part time worker in that scenario. The Tax Credits as it was back then paid money onto gas and electric meter, water payment and baby milk from the clinic, as well as things like nappies and wipes. My wages paid for the majority of the food. The full time wage paid for mortgage and any other expenses including his drink and cigarettes. ( I wasn’t allowed personal spending money so had to hide/lie about any tips I had from work.)

In your case if your wage and UC is about the same as the full time wage and you’re both paying about the same in bills/utilities, then no, the full timer doesn’t get a cut of the UC!

redfishcat · 03/05/2025 14:15

One pot for all income, from this pot all expenses including child related expenses. Any thing left gets divided between the parents, equally for their personal use, and some should be saved for emergencies.
if not this, then there is no need to claim UC as there is obviously enough income coming in to the household, and you don’t need UC

DownWithCremeEggs · 03/05/2025 14:15

Husband and I both work and claim UC. It all goes into one pot, as does our wages. We don't have 'his' and 'my' money, it's all family money.

claudiawinklemansfringetrimmer · 03/05/2025 14:13

All our money just went in one pot

Benefitbettyquestion · 03/05/2025 14:04

All the UC goes on bills etc and then any additional money needed is paid proportionately by the couple. Eg full time worker adds £400 to the pot, part time worker adds £250. Obviously depending on the actual wages.

x2boys · 03/05/2025 14:02

In my house everything goes into one pot si.this wouldn't be an issue
But if they using the UC,to benefit everyone why should they equally have half each?
Maybe they need a joint account for bills etc,o which the UC, can be paid into.

Ukholidaysaregreat · 03/05/2025 14:02

It is to use fairly so the family have enough money for day to day living costs. Your OP reads like one adult is trying to access the money and squirrel it away. You might want to read up on financial abuse and see if it feels like that.

Viviennemary · 03/05/2025 14:01

That would be up to the individual couple to sort out how the benefit should be used.

StrawberryWater · 03/05/2025 13:59

We claimed universal credit for a time (don't any more since husband got a promotion at work) but we claimed what we were entitled to. All our money goes into one pot then and now.

We don't have one person going short and over burdened financially.