Universal Credit Question

[NewlySingle2021]

Hi can anyone help with this situation? My H and I are separating, he still lives in our house but will hopefully get out in about 5 weeks. I was self-employed but have recently had to close my business. I have picked up about 2 week's worth of work but the hours are not fixed so I don't really have a definite idea of what I will get at the end of it. Then I will need UC and JSA beyond that as haven't found anything else.

Can I apply right now as 'unemployed' because I know that in about 12 days I will be? Or do I need to wait until that casual contract has finished? Or is it worth applying now with my (low) estimated earnings so that I'll at least get it started and get the ball rolling, and then updating it at a later date once I have finished that work? Is it easy to update once I'm in the system?

I'm very aware from friends on UC that I need to get my application done ASAP as it can take so long to come through, so although it's only a couple of weeks to wait it's going to make a big difference to me financially.

Thanks if anyone can help.

If you applied today then your first Uc payment would be based on any earnings from today to 30th september.
The issue is that you still live with your husband. If you are making a single claim then you may need to prove to Uc that all finances are separate, you live separately within the same household etc otherwise his income will be taken into account as they could say it should be a joint claim.

If you are also planning to claim new style JSA then do that once the job has ended. It would be deducted from Uc though.

New style jsa you cannot apply until after your last day. Uc you can in theory apply for if your income is below the threshold for the month

Thank you both!

@Babyroobs how would I prove to them that our finances are separate? Do they request bank statements?

@NewlySingle2021

Thank you both!

@Babyroobs how would I prove to them that our finances are separate? Do they request bank statements?

Well yes the problem will be that when you make the Uc claim they will ask whether you have a partner and who else lives with you. It would be best to show finances are seperate, that you don't socialise together, cook together, shop together etc. They may ask for proof. If it's ony for another 5 weeks then it may be fine.

Hi my partner is self employed
If hes working does universal credit people force me into work and make me go to work coach meetings ?

And sorry for jumping on your post really hope things get better for you

And also does anyone know how to create a new post am new here thanks