Some Britons could boost their Universal Credit payments by almost £2,000 each year by carrying out one quick and easy check.
When making an application for the state benefit, Britons can opt to make a joint claim with their partner or make two separate claims.
The route they pick can heavily affect the amount of Universal Credit one could get.
Lynne Thomson, and ex-DWP worker and tax adviser, says there is potentially money going unclaimed because people are not aware of when they need to make a joint claim as a couple – or the more beneficial two single claims.
Understanding the difference could boost benefit payments by up to £1,903.92 a year, so it can pay to check.
However, it should be noted that if someone makes a claim as two single people when it should be made together, they could end up owing money.
The current standard monthly allowance is £368.74 if someone is claiming on their own, while partners can claim £578.82 each month between them.
So it will work out that two people claiming separately will receive more than a couple’s shared payment. But many are unaware when they should claim alone and when they should claim together.
Lynne explained that when people are married or are together as if they were, they must make a joint claim.
But if they are both single and simply cohabiting, they should make two single person claims.
The DWP will not say what is a couple and use several pieces of criteria to decide if two people are and must make a joint claim.
No one thing defines a couple, and it is never possible to say with certainty whether two people are single or whether they are “a couple”.
The DWP looks at things like:
- How did you come to be living together? Were you previously in a relationship?
- What are your domestic arrangements? Do you cook and eat together. Do you do each other’s laundry?
- Is there sharing of finances?
- Do you socialise together?
- Is there evidence of family life? Do you take the children on days out together?
It’s always worth checking these things before making a claim as there are many factors.
How much could one get on Universal Credit?
Britons are generally eligible for Universal Credit if they’re on a low income or are out of work.
How much Universal Credit they can get depends on their circumstances, like if they live with someone, their age and how much they earn if they are working.
Here’s the standard allowance per month for Universal Credit:
- Single, under 25 – £292.11
- Single, 25 or over – £368.74
- Couple, joint claimants both under 25 – £458.51
- Couple, joint claimants, one or both 25 or over – £578.82
These rates are also set to rise from April 2024 to keep up with the increasing cost of living.
