Universal credit and marriage

[Cole33]

I’m just looking for some advice for my neighbour. He’s in his 50’s and his partner passed away 3 years ago (they never married) He doesn’t currently work because he has health conditions and has full custody of 2 of his grandchildren. He claims universal credit, pip and lcwra.
In July He came out as gay, he then met a man. They want to marry but don’t want to live together. They both claim universal credit.
I’m not sure what the rules are, so I cant advise him but, can they marry on universal credit and continue to live separately? How would this affect their claims?
Thanks for any advice you can give.

Yes they can. If they 100% don't live together and dont share finances then they can still both claim benefits in their single capacity.

He met someone in July and two months later he wants to marry them? Massive red flag in any situation, whatever the sexes involved!

Thank you, I thought the same but it's not my place to judge. Maybe he's just grabbing life now he's older and dealt with a loss?

Yes I would be concerned about this especially if your neighbour owns his own property ?

Surely if they're married, they're legally financially linked, so they would have to make a joint claim?

Not if they don't live together. They are both able to continue on single claims as they don't live together and are not financially linked.