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.

Not much point in replying now, OP has made it clear she won’t be back/has flounced.

This. The partner should be supporting you both.

Hi OP, he sounds absolutely wonderful. Best of luck to you all x

Thing is OP it's not about 'you' when you move someone in, it's counted as 'us' - so the way it's seen is that the 'us' has enough in income and assets to not need benefits and if you don't because he has a flat he can't sell he will need to get it rented out whilst it sells.

Is the problem because he doesn't live in the house that he owns so it essentially becomes a second home/asset? I didn't think they included the home that you live in, so theoretically if you moved in with him, and gave up your own home then you could still claim UC (not recommending that you do that).

Yes, houses you own but do not live in are assets that preclude UC. However there are circumstances such as where you're trying to sell it or need legal etc advice as to how your interest can be realised where the value can be disregarded.

It's already been suggested she look at the 'for sale' limb as he says its marketed but with no bites.

Do you claim carers allowance? It’s not huge but it might help! You will get this regardless of your partners income.

but sadly yes if your new partners salary and property are too much you will lose UC.

is new partner willing to support you and your child financially?

The system has rules it has to obey. Boyfriends don't and can also put you in hospital by beating you up. A woman dependent on a man whilst caring for a disabled child is incredibly vulnerable.

FFS, tell you've never been financially trapped in an abusive relationship without telling me...

The system has rules it has to obey. Boyfriends don't and can also put you in hospital by beating you up. A woman dependent on a man whilst caring for a disabled child is incredibly vulnerable

Hell of a leap, there, @Fedupofthestruggle My father used to beat my mum and brother used to beat me and my mum. My husband doesn’t. There are good men. Sounds like OP has met one.

To look on the bright side, It’s not all bad to get an evening job op, you never know when you will need a job.
id consider looking at study options too to get into more flexible or remote type jobs. I don’t mean right now necessarily, but maybe next year start thinking about that.

We get nappies from them but still have to buy nappies they allocated ds with 2 nappies a day that's just not enough.

The same thing happened to me when I was a single mum of disabled DS and I moved in with a new partner. We didn't move in together until after we got married though, because I wanted that financial security. DH has been a great stepdad to DS, and has always been happy to take on full responsibility for our family (I have never worked since having DS, due to his disabilities). I continued to get DLA and Carer's Allowance (not Child Benefit as DH is over the threshold). DS is older and is an adult now, and he can claim PIP and UC in his own right and it isn't affected by DH's income and assets.

There are some discretionary things that may help you when you have a child on DLA even if you can't get UC. E.g. my council will pay £880 a year as a Short Breaks payment (must be spent towards activities for the child like days out). You can often get free carer entry to many attractions. Family Fund may be able to help towards household goods and items for the child like a gaming system. Your local council or parent forum will be able to point you towards what is available in your area.

You should be able to get cheaper water bills as your DS has continence issues. Check with your water company.

If he sells his flat won’t he just have over 16k in cash and so you still won’t be eligible for UC?

Hi,

Sorry to hear this has happened to you. This is why me and my partner live separately because if we lived together I would lose the whole of my UC due to the fact he owns a home too and he only just makes a little more than I get from UC so it’s currently not worth us living together. I also have two children with learning disabilities and work part time myself, the only time I see us living together is when I can work full time myself and that I don’t feel at this minute working full time is the right time for my children at the minute. May I also add that my partner is a shift worker so this would result in sleeping issues and various other impacts on me and my kids.

Personally, I would live separately until he sold his flat, maybe have more days out together and quality time together all of you instead and maybe sit down and discuss with him how you are working finances out jointly.

The system is floored because this does not encourage people to live together.

I would suggest that it's the moving in of a man who isn't related to her child which makes them both vulnerable. She can take care of herself, the 6 year old can't. Not saying anything about the OP's 'partner', but let's be honest, we all know it's kids who need protecting, and disabled kids especially..

You are better off with him ‘moving out’. The main mistake you’ve made is declaring it. Obviously he is not going to necessarily be financially responsible for you and your son but UC have made it a stupid rule that this would be the case if your are co-habiting.

Your bloke needs to rent out his flat or sell it if he's going to be living with you and thus encroaching on your benefits.
I know it is frustrating but it wouldn't be fair for people to continue to take UC while benefitting from assets way above £16k.

but UC have made it a stupid rule that this would be the case if your are co-habiting

I am not sure I agree it is a stupid rule. Otherwise we have the state funding all women who live with a man who isn't the father of their children. Just pass the men around and noone has to support either their own DC or the ones they happen to live with now?

Yes, there is some specialist education in the UK. It's not always accessible for those who need it though. It's extremely difficult in many cases to get a rounded education for pupils with additional needs.

I consider it fortunate that my daughter was offered a bespoke specialist placement that meets her needs more than mainstream secondary school did. However, she gets 5 hours a week only. This has been enough for her to gain very basic qualifications in Maths and English. Sadly, that's more than many other children/teenagers get.

Or pretend to live apart! Witness to this several times

Just to say my understanding of joint savings and investments is that these are wholly owned by both of you, not half each. So on first death full ownership transfers to the survivor outside of a will or probate. So if those are in your joint names they are now yours regardless

So fraud?

Not sure that's the kind of advice anyone should be listening to.

Simple solution

He moves back into his flat

You claim benefits as a single person

He visits you as a boyfriend & stays over 2 or 3 nights a week

Everything remains the same unless you get married & live together & he pays for you & your child