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Original poster

Could my partner claim UC? Redundancy

25 replies

BeLimeTiger · 09/04/2025 09:47

My partner and I have been together for four years and lived together (house owned by me) for a year and a half. He has school aged children who we have every other weekend. He was made redundant last month and has decided to try setting up a business. He has some savings and thinks this will run out after 6 months. He wants to continue paying his child maintenance at the rate he was when he was employed (hasn’t told his ex about the redundancy) and he pays £600 rent to me which I currently rely on because I’m studying and have reduced my hours at work. I’m pretty stuffed if he runs out of money as I have two more years left of study. Neither of us have ever claimed benefits so not sure how it works (we’re in our 40s). Can he claim anything to help tide him over a bit?

OP posts:
socialdilemmawhattodo · 09/04/2025 09:51

With his financial commitments he needs a regular paying job. He does not have the luxury of being able to take time out to set up a full-time business. He could always set it up to run evenings/weekends.

Upsetbetty · 09/04/2025 09:54

socialdilemmawhattodo · 09/04/2025 09:51

With his financial commitments he needs a regular paying job. He does not have the luxury of being able to take time out to set up a full-time business. He could always set it up to run evenings/weekends.

This! It’s just not feasible, he’ll need to get a none and work on his business on the side. This is not something to expect the government to fund unfortunately. Whether or not either of you have claimed benefits before is irrelevant…

IVFmumoftwo · 09/04/2025 09:57

You have to do a joint claim together. Do you have kids or disability? Just if it is you two you are unlikely to be eligible.

Original poster
BeLimeTiger · 09/04/2025 10:09

IVFmumoftwo · 09/04/2025 09:57

You have to do a joint claim together. Do you have kids or disability? Just if it is you two you are unlikely to be eligible.

I have a child from a previous relationship who I share 50:50 with the dad, and he has two from a previous relationship. No disabilities. I have significant have savings left over from a house sale but those are to fund my next move (which I’ll need when I finish my studies). Would it be expected that I pay for him to live and drain my savings before he can claim anything?

OP posts:
ARichtGoodDram · 09/04/2025 10:10

Your savings would be counted in a joint claim.

Guistarry · 09/04/2025 10:13

Would it be expected that I pay for him to live and drain my savings before he can claim anything?

Yep. He needs to get a job, and will be expected to apply for any jobs that come up if he did claim JSA or similar anyway.

Original poster
BeLimeTiger · 09/04/2025 10:13

ARichtGoodDram · 09/04/2025 10:10

Your savings would be counted in a joint claim.

Thanks for your replies. If I was in his position I’d just get another job and he knows this.

OP posts:
TwoBlueFish · 09/04/2025 10:14

BHS could claim New Style JSA which is a job seeker benefit if you have paid national insurance for at least the last 2 years, it doesn’t have a savings limit but he will need to be showing that he’s looking for work.

You (as a couple) may qualify for UC but it will look at household income and savings, if you have over £16k in savings/capital (between you) you won’t qualify. Between £6-£16k you will loose an amount from the UC depending on the savings. There will be work commitments.

AnneLovesGilbert · 09/04/2025 10:16

He needs a job. He can start a business on the side, that’s what people with expensive responsibilities - like kids - do.

Original poster
BeLimeTiger · 09/04/2025 10:16

TwoBlueFish · 09/04/2025 10:14

BHS could claim New Style JSA which is a job seeker benefit if you have paid national insurance for at least the last 2 years, it doesn’t have a savings limit but he will need to be showing that he’s looking for work.

You (as a couple) may qualify for UC but it will look at household income and savings, if you have over £16k in savings/capital (between you) you won’t qualify. Between £6-£16k you will loose an amount from the UC depending on the savings. There will be work commitments.

We wouldn’t qualify for UC based on my savings.

OP posts:
anonymousanonymouse · 09/04/2025 10:18

It’s certainly worth claiming but you will have to claim as a couple. Even if you can’t get anything you may get a reduction in your council tax and be entitled to other help as a result.

Original poster
BeLimeTiger · 09/04/2025 10:21

AnneLovesGilbert · 09/04/2025 10:16

He needs a job. He can start a business on the side, that’s what people with expensive responsibilities - like kids - do.

Yep. I’m trying to be supportive of what he wants to do but I don’t want it to be at my expense. He made a unilateral decision about starting up on his own and it has the potential to put me in a position I don’t want to be in.

OP posts:
Johnnyfartpants · 09/04/2025 10:22

Ringfence your savings and do not run them down helping him to set up a business! Make sure they are safe for you and your child.

HarryVanderspeigle · 09/04/2025 10:35

It's your money, just tell him you aren't giving him any. If he refuses to pay rent, you may need to use some.of your savings, take on additional hours, move somewhere cheaper or downsize.

Or he could just get a job, because being financially responsible in your 40's when you have children is much more important than when you are 20.

Original poster
BeLimeTiger · 09/04/2025 10:38

Johnnyfartpants · 09/04/2025 10:22

Ringfence your savings and do not run them down helping him to set up a business! Make sure they are safe for you and your child.

My house buying savings are in a 95 day notice account and I have no intention of using except for the intended purpose. I didn’t realise that living with a partner would make you financially responsible for them if you have significant savings and they do not.

OP posts:
Original poster
BeLimeTiger · 09/04/2025 10:42

HarryVanderspeigle · 09/04/2025 10:35

It's your money, just tell him you aren't giving him any. If he refuses to pay rent, you may need to use some.of your savings, take on additional hours, move somewhere cheaper or downsize.

Or he could just get a job, because being financially responsible in your 40's when you have children is much more important than when you are 20.

He’s not asked me for money and I’m fully expecting him to continue paying rent. I have no hours left in the week to take on additional work and nor should I. I think he’ll just have to start looking for a paye job if he’s not earning anything after three months. This has been useful so thanks everyone

OP posts:
backaftera2yearbreak · 09/04/2025 10:43

Yeah, you are considered as one household. The new style JSA is different to UC. That’s based on his NI contributions. Won’t take your savings into account.

Mrsttcno1 · 09/04/2025 10:45

While you both have money/savings you can’t claim UC, he needs to figure out a way to finance his life. UC is not a lifestyle choice there to prop you up while you start a business.

Summerhillsquare · 09/04/2025 11:08

If he's not paying rent, perhaps he can find you a lodger. I bet he changes his mind at that point. Anyway he should get contributions based JSA for 6 months, it's £95 a week or something feeble though.

Deerinthepark · 09/04/2025 12:05

He can claim Contributions based job seekers allowance if he wasade redundant & his redundancy pay will not be taken into account for a certain time period.

He will need to apply with P45

Payment is only back dated to the day that he applied, not the date that he was made redundant

Apply via universal credit, job seekers is part of that umbrella of payments

Aligirlbear · 09/04/2025 12:08

You need to set out your expectations to him i.e. he needs to continue to pay you at the same rate he does now - there will not be any flex / reduction to support he in his new business venture and be clear you will not financially contribute to his new business. Realistically, unless he gets a job he needs to come clean with his ex and adjust maintenance payments accordingly. In your combined situation he needs to get a job and set up his business as a side line evenings / weekend.

Deerinthepark · 09/04/2025 12:09

Universal credit / job seekers also pays the person's National Insurance Contributions while they are not working.
National Insurance pays towards that person's state pension & other benefits

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