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Original poster

First time claiming universal credit - forward dating?

24 replies

joelikestofu1 · 06/08/2023 16:14

Hi, me and the wife are separating, I'm going to be moving out into my own place on the 20th of the month, her and the kids staying in the family home.

She doesn't work so I'll be paying bills, mortgage etc on 2 places until she gets her UC.

Question is: should I submit the claim now, or must I do this on the day I move out? In the application I couldn't see anything about forward-dating the claim.

OP posts:
Bromptotoo · 06/08/2023 16:18

Based on what you say about moving out and her not working its her who needs to be on UC.

If you're already living completely separate lives but under the same roof then she may be able to claim now.

MoonlightMuse · 06/08/2023 16:20

Is her name on both properties? If it is then she needs to declare one as the property she lives in and the other as capital.

Original poster
joelikestofu1 · 06/08/2023 16:26

Sorry to clarify:

She will be claiming UC, not me.
The house she will live in with the kids has a mortgage in both our names.
I will be moving out and renting somewhere, not owned.

Is it possible to claim for her now even though we still live in the same house for another 2 weeks?

OP posts:
oviraptor21 · 06/08/2023 16:29

In theory yes if you are for all intents and purposes separated.
In practice it may not be worth the hassle as the DWP may want to verify that you are indeed not 'living together as a married couple' and it will be much easier to prove this if you don't live there any more.

Bromptotoo · 06/08/2023 16:37

The DWP will ask you/your ex some questions to show you're living as two households under on roof.

The DWP haven’t defined the term ‘household’ and so decisions are made on a case-by-case basis. Your client could prove they’re living in separate households by showing there’s:

separate bedrooms

separate cooking and eating arrangements

separate financial arrangements

no evidence of family life together

If you're moving out soon anyway then as @oviraptor21 says it depends how much energy/appetite you've got for jumping through their hoops.

Original poster
joelikestofu1 · 06/08/2023 16:39

Ah right, thanks so much all, I think it's best I submit the application near the date of me moving out into my own place, I don't need the drama right now =)

Thanks again

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 06/08/2023 16:54

How old are the kids ? Is your ex aware she may need to look for work depending on the age of the youngest child?

Original poster
joelikestofu1 · 06/08/2023 16:58

Yes she will start looking for work as soon as the claim is submitted, kids are 13 and 11.

OP posts:
sparkleshin · 06/08/2023 21:32

it takes 5 weeks to get a payment when you apply so apply now

Piggyplate · 06/08/2023 21:56

Also she won't get any housing paid to her as she's got a mortgage in her name

ArcticSkewer · 06/08/2023 21:58

joelikestofu1 · 06/08/2023 16:39

Ah right, thanks so much all, I think it's best I submit the application near the date of me moving out into my own place, I don't need the drama right now =)

Thanks again

If she is claiming then she submits the application. She may as well do it now. You'll have moved out by the time it's processed - proof enough that it's a single person claim

Original poster
joelikestofu1 · 06/08/2023 22:01

sparkleshin · 06/08/2023 21:32

it takes 5 weeks to get a payment when you apply so apply now

They back date it to the day you submitted the claim though right?

OP posts:
Niftyswiftie · 06/08/2023 22:03

joelikestofu1 · 06/08/2023 16:39

Ah right, thanks so much all, I think it's best I submit the application near the date of me moving out into my own place, I don't need the drama right now =)

Thanks again

Why are you submitting the application? It should be her doing it.

Original poster
joelikestofu1 · 06/08/2023 22:04

She's not very computer literate so we did it together on the computer with her details

OP posts:
Lougle · 06/08/2023 22:05

joelikestofu1 · 06/08/2023 22:01

They back date it to the day you submitted the claim though right?

Show quote history

No. Universal Credit is paid in arrears. There is a 5 week period when you don't get UC and any tax credits are stopped immediately when you claim. She will be able to get an advance to tide her over, though, and she can pay that back over two years.

Runaround50 · 06/08/2023 22:09

She also needs be looking for a job ASAP. With kids those ages, there is no reason not to be in work? Else the DWP may find her a job. She could also enrol in some courses to up skill and improve her IT skills. That will make her more employable going forward.

CornishTiger · 06/08/2023 22:11

Are you separated yet living in same household if so she can apply now. Put you in as a non dependant adult in household.

Assessment period would be 6th Aug - 5th Sept. First payment 12th Sept.

on 20th Aug she can report you as moved out.
The change will then affect her whole assessment period.

As the government haven’t yet announced the qualifying date for next cost of living payment I’d advise you to crack on and apply.

Original poster
joelikestofu1 · 06/08/2023 22:11

According to the gov website:

"Your payments will usually be calculated from the day you submit your claim. You will usually get your first payment 7 days after the end of your first assessment period.
Your payment will then be made on the same date every month while you remain entitled to Universal Credit."

So if she submits it on 20th Aug, the UC will be calculated from 20th Aug - 19th Sep, then her first payment approx 26th Sept, that's how I read it.

OP posts:
CornishTiger · 06/08/2023 22:12

also council tax discount and council tax support from 20th August.

Icycloud · 06/08/2023 22:18

joelikestofu1 · 06/08/2023 22:01

They back date it to the day you submitted the claim though right?

Show quote history

No. They pay you universal credit from 5 weeks after you make a claim. You don’t get money for those 5 weeks

Icycloud · 06/08/2023 22:19

I must be confused then because when I applied for universal credit I got it five weeks afterwards and didn’t get anything to account for those weeks

Babyroobs · 06/08/2023 22:25

Icycloud · 06/08/2023 22:19

I must be confused then because when I applied for universal credit I got it five weeks afterwards and didn’t get anything to account for those weeks

The payment that you receive five weeks after applying is the payment in arrears for the first month.

Bromptotoo · 06/08/2023 22:28

Icycloud · 06/08/2023 22:18

No. They pay you universal credit from 5 weeks after you make a claim. You don’t get money for those 5 weeks

Show quote history

UC is designed to have the look/feel of a monthly salary and is calculated and paid according to that model.

Claim today and you'll get a payment on or around 13 September reflecting your situation and income over/at end of period 06 Aug to 05 Sept.

Original poster
joelikestofu1 · 06/08/2023 22:31

I thought that was the case, I feel like there's lots of different opinions on this but I should apply closer to the date.

OP posts:
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