Universal credit.. single or joint claim?

[Boymum5008]

I’ve been on universal credit for a couple of years since having my second child, whilst also working full time. I separated from my children’s dad 2.5 years ago and have been living in my own rented house since. I have been dating my boyfriend for around 1.5 years- he has his own house with his ex partner. He also works away Monday- Friday and doesn’t drive. On the weekends he was staying a mix between my house and his up until December when his ex changed the locks and now he cannot access the house. Due to him not driving and his house being an hour away it is easier if he stays here on the weekends anyway so I actually get to see him. My UC claim is as a single parent- my boyfriend does not contribute financially towards my household at all- (he still pays a few bills such as broadband at his house and all of his banks/ HMRC/ work stuff etc is registered at his). He does not have a key to my house, has a bag of clothing here but the rest of his belongings are still at his house. He is working on his ex buying him out and then we will discuss him officially moving in and ofc will notify universal credit, but until that point I want to keep my financial independence for my kids as our relationship has not been the most smooth sailing and I’m still unsure if the relationship will last. My question is based on my circumstances am I breaking any universal credit rules by not being on a joint claim? Thanks ♥️

I don't believe so, he doesn't live with you, he's your boyfriend staying at weekends, I'm no expert but I wouldn't add him to the claim if it was me. It's your house nothing to do with him. He doesn't get post there I presume.

Speaking as a single mum with two kids… what the hell are you doing?

If your relationship isn’t smooth sailing and you’re not sure it will last then bloody well end it rather than having him around your kids.

I’ve been with my boyfriend for 2.5 years. He didn’t meet my kids until after 18 months. He didn’t stay over with them in the house at the same time until a few weeks ago. Because I wouldn’t have a man around my kids in that way until I was sure.
If I was thinking “this isn’t going too well and I don’t think it will last” then I certainly wouldn’t have him staying at mine every weekend with my kids around.

Just shitty, selfish parenting.

Single claim

So you had a 6 month old baby, were the other woman with this guy, who moved in with you and your two children when his partner kicked him out, it's been up and down and you're not sure it's going to last?

No, don't put him on the claim, but for God's sake make better decisions.

I disagree that it should be a single claim.

Just because someone works away during the week doesn't mean he doesn't have a home, and in this case if he's not at work it sounds like his only option is to live with you?

If he can't actually access his house it sounds like for all intents and purposes he is living with you when not at work, he just has admin to deal with at his former home.

Where will he stay when he has a week off work?

He does not have a key or a right to stay there.

Where are his bank statements going and what address is on his Amazon account? Because you’re very keen to paint this a certain way to see if it will fly, but there’s no way he’s getting his Amazon shite delivered to his ex’s house now she’s found out that he cheated on her. If you’re not happy then dump him but “I don’t think it will last” isn’t a reason to mislead the DWP today.

My point is that he lives somewhere, and as it stands he doesn't live with his ex as he can't access the property. Whether he has a right to stay with OP or not isn't the point, that's what he's using as his home base when not working away.

single claim