Universal credit during a seperation

[CherryGarcia23]

Does anybody know if Universal credit can be claimed during a separation where one party is still living in the marital home?

My friend is unable to leave her marital home, rented in the name of her husband only. She is struggling as her husband is refusing to pay anything towards the children's wraparound care / holiday clubs / school dinners as a punishment for her wanting to seperate.

She is struggling to get ahead enough to leave and could really do with UC, but can't leave her husbands home yet. Home is rented in husbands name only not hers.

Friend can't move back to her family as they live so far away and she wants to keep the children in their school.

Thanks

She can make a claim as single, but it will then have to be assessed by DWP. She'll need to show they're living apart and no longer acting as a couple within the home.

https://ukcareguide.co.uk/what-happens-to-universal-credit-if-you-split-up-with-partner
CAB has some info on this page under the relationships bit. CAB may be able to give her further advise on this..
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/what-youll-need-to-do-on-universal-credit/check-if-a-change-affects-your-universal-credit/
If she is already getting benefits she should advise DWP that they're split up anyway.

That is fantastic, thankyou. I will forward it on, I have no idea of their current financial set up, so she can read through this or phone DWP.

Thankyou!

She can claim UC but not sure if she could claim rent element when she is not on the tenancy agreement at all.

Hello
I claim UC and still live with my husband. We have seperated and live seperate lives. If I had somewhere to go now I would. With the help of UC I can pay the childrens clubs, buy food and get a plan together to move on. Good luck to your friend. It's not easy with the price of renting these days. I'm treading water and looking forward.

@Anythingicanthinkof That sounds great. Did the UC team question you about the living situation? Are they expecting you to move out within a certain timeframe?

You have to be able to show all finances are separate, separate bank accounts, no shared meals, days out and living separate lives. Otherwise everyone would be claiming to be separated.

How did you prove it that you are not longer together? Did UC team came to your house to check that?