Have lost ALL of my Universal Credit Award now partner moved in

[Fedupofthestruggle]

I have lived on my own with my disabled son for 18 months and had universal credit awarded including disabled element and carer element. I am his sole carer.

My partner has now moved in and we told universal credit. They of course needed to know his salary and any assets. He owns a flat (tiny, so we couldn't move in as there's no space for a family and disabled child). Universal credit have said since it's worth over 16k we no longer are able to receive any money.

However my question is shouldn't I still receive carers and disabled element since I can't work to look after my son? I will go back to universal credit to confirm if this is correct but wanted advice from anyone in similar position. Thanks very much.

As I understand it (as someone who gets those elements) they do stop once you have over £16k as that’s the cutting off point for any sort of universal credit. Carers allowance is separate from carers element and will still continue if your own income is low.

The idea is that you pool all your income, ie your partner makes up the difference so you aren’t any worse off. If he owns a flat he should rent this out and the income should be shared between you.

If your son receives PIP and you don't work/earn very little you make a separate (non UC) application for carers allowance

www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/how-to-claim

"shouldn't I still receive carers and disabled element since I can't work to look after my son?"

No. Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit. Cohabiting couples are expected to support each other financially, according to the benefits system. For UC and other means-tested benefits, the income, savings and other assets of both people in a couple are taken into account. If he owns a property that he's not living in, he can sell it or rent it out, and that money can be used towards your household's costs.

You will continue to receive any benefits that are not means-tested, including your son's DLA, and carer's allowance for yourself. However, that's nowhere near enough to live on. So your partner will need to support you all financially, or move out.

Would you not have thoroughly checked out what you would lose before your boyfriend moved in? Is he intending to support to you?

https://www.advicenow.org.uk/get-help/benefits/living-partner-and-benefits

I am sorry but you made a huge mistake moving him in.

What are you going to do now that it has happened? Is your partner willing to live as a family financially?

Can he rent out his flat?

UC practically forces people to stay single or live apart :(

Carers is only means tested on your salary so as long as your income hasn't changed you should still get it. You should still get dla for your son.

Her son is 18 so it's PIP but carer's allowance is still applicable as per the link above.

She never said her sons age?

No, it forces people to pool their assets and income.

Presumably your partner will be supporting you ?

Thank you for all your responses. Yes my partner will be taking over the rent here.

But I'm still worse off. I think I will have to get an evening job while my son sleeps. It will be tough but don't see another solution.

I miss working but had to give it up when my son came along, life is unfair unfortunately. It will be hard to make ends meet now. Partner also said last night he will look for a better paid job and has been very supportive.

I know you've had a shock op , but to expect to receive uc when you have a live-in partner that can pay rent , food etc is too much. Did you not discuss this happening before he moved in?

My son is 6 so don't understand this comment. He receives DLA highest element.

@Fedupofthestruggle are you worse off when you consider your joint income? Is your partner willing to pool resources? This is only way this will work.

Taking a second job sounds like a terrible option if you have a disabled child. I have a disabled child and understand the absolute exhaustion that you experience when being a 24hr carer.

It must have been a shock since without the flat I'm assuming you would qualify due to his low income. You have 2 options do something with the flat to release some money, either sell or rent out or you go back to living separately. How long have you been together?

Having read your update, I have no idea why you and him are prepared to struggle when there’s a huge source of income available to you both - the rent from his flat.

He still has to pay the mortgage on the flat aswell as now paying rent with me. He is trying to sell it but no bites.

He said he will look into renting it and get the ball rolling but I'm still no better off.

Thank you for understanding. All I receive now is DLA and Child Benefit so that will all go on my childs needs and nappies etc. So really we are just living on my partners income which is a decent salary but not enough with me getting nothing now.

Universal credit is a means tested benefit and it sounds like your partners earnings and capital tied up in another property have wiped out any UC. therefore the only benefits you can claim are the DLA for your child and carers allowance.

You can make a claim for carers allowance as long as you meet the criteria which you should do if you were getting the carer element on UC and you don't work.