Splitting up and claiming universal credit for the first time

[UniversalCredit01]

Hi all,

my partner and I split up in the summer but continued living together as we rent and the tenancy isn’t up until end of Feb. I had read up on the CAB website and I couldn’t make him leave as we have a joint tenancy.

We have two kids, one of which is still in nursery. As he isn’t working there isn’t any child maintenance or anything coming forward at this time.

My intention was to stay in the house we rented for the next year and I have been on the universal credit calculator. it looks like I’ll be eligible for some financial support which will be a lifeline as after nursery fees, rent and bills.

Can you apply for universal credit prior to partner moving out and adding a future date?

Thanks.

You can't add a future date. You can apply as a single claim now but if you want to claim as single then you need to be prepared to show you are financially separate and living separate lives eg not eating together, holidaying together etc. It won't matter that his name is still on the tenancy but you may need to explain this on your Universal credit claim otherwise they may only pay half of the rent amount.

Thank you.

You could have applied months ago

Just apply as a single person and dont mention him.

@ArcticSkewer I don’t think I’d have been eligible as he was contributing using his savings? So our financial position was unchanged from when he was working. However, the savings have since ran out which is timely as we come to the end of the tenancy and it feels much more like a clean break.

@Babyroobs he is sleeping on the sofa and has been for a months as we don’t have a spare room. It’s not been ideal for anyone.

thanks for your advice everyone.

Doesn't matter if he was using savings, you were effectively a single / separated household, living as housemates. Apply asap.

Thanks @OverTheRubicon