Joint Universal Credit claims for couples

Our Benefits calculator can quickly work out how much you could claim as a couple. 

You can work as many hours as you want and still qualify for Universal Credit, so it’s worth checking you’re not missing out. 

For more information on how Universal Credit is calculated, see our guide How much is Universal Credit?

You’ll need to make a joint application for Universal Credit if you live with your partner, even if only one of you qualifies.

This is because the amount you get is based on your household income and savings or capital, so your partner needs to provide their details too. If you or your partner have £6,000 or less in savings or capital, this won’t affect your claim for these benefits. If you and/or your partner have £16,000 or more, you won’t be entitled to Universal Credit. If you and/or your partner have between £6,000 and £16,000, the first £6,000 is ignored. The rest is treated as if it gives you a monthly income of £4.35 for each £250, or part of £250.

You’ll both need to create an account and apply onlineOpens in a new window on GOV.UK.

If you can’t apply online, call the Universal Credit HelplineOpens in a new window or Universal Credit Service CentreOpens in a new window in Northern Ireland instead. They might arrange for someone to call you back or visit your home.    

For more help, including the information you’ll need and when to apply, see our guide How to apply for Universal Credit. 

If you’re getting income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), you’ll be asked to move to Universal Credit at some point in 2025. 

You will be sent a letter inviting you to apply for Universal Credit. Your letter will tell you how and when to apply. You don’t need to do anything until you get your letter.  
 

Your joint claim for Universal Credit will continue until both you and your partner reach State Pension age.

Once this happens, you can make a joint application for Pension Credit, the key benefit for those over working age and on low incomes.

As Universal Credit is a single amount paid to the household, you’ll need to choose who will receive it, either into:

• a joint bank account in both of your names, or 

• one of your individual bank accounts. 

If you have children, the payment usually goes into the main carer’s bank account. 

If you’re worried your partner might control your money or misuse it, you can ask for separate or more frequent payments confidentially.

See Help if you’re worried about a joint Universal Credit claim for what to do. 

You need an account that can make and receive payments, usually a current account. Most banks, building societies and credit unions offer accounts you can use, even if you’ve got a poor credit score. 

See our guide How to open a bank account for your benefit payments for more information.

A joint account can make budgeting much easier as it gives you equal control over the money. But only consider opening one with someone you trust. 

Both of you will be able to withdraw cash or spend whenever you like, which might cause problems if one of you finds it difficult to stick to a budget.  

See Joint bank accounts for what to watch out for. 

For more help and information, see our guide Should you manage money jointly or separately?

It’s important to have honest conversations and plan how to manage money together.

After you apply for Universal Credit, it can take up to five weeks for you to get the money.  

For ways to help you manage, including asking to be paid early, see our guide Help managing your money while waiting for your first Universal Credit payment.

Talking about money with your partner can be difficult. It can also be a source of argument and frustration.

But if you approach it in the right way, you’ll feel better when you’ve got your family finances in order and any issues out in the open. 

Find out more about how to have those difficult conversations in our guides:

• How to have a conversation about money

• Should you manage your money jointly or separately?

Our free and easy to use Budget planner will help you:

• compare your spending to your income 

• get a breakdown of your finances by category, and 

• get personalised tips to help you make the most of your money. 

For more information, see our guide Help managing your money if you receive benefits.

Once you’ve received your first Universal Credit payment, it’s paid on the same dates – or the working day before it if this falls on a weekend or bank holiday. 

This is usually: 

• once a month in England and Wales 

• once a month in Scotland, but you can ask for twice a month 

• twice a month in Northern Ireland, but you can ask for once a month. 

It’s a good idea to set up Direct Debits or standing orders to automatically pay your bills the day after you’re paid. For example, Council Tax, gas and electricity, mobile phone and broadband. 

In England and Wales, this will also include your rent or mortgage as any help with your housing costs is included in your Universal Credit payment. It also works this way in Scotland, but you have the option for the money to be paid directly to your landlord. 

In Northern Ireland, the money is always paid directly to your landlord, unless you meet certain criteria for it to be paid to you. 

For more information, see our guides:  

• How to apply for Universal Credit in Scotland 

• How to apply for Universal Credit in Northern Ireland 

• Help if you can’t afford your rent .

Once you’ve received your first Universal Credit payment, you’ll often qualify for discounts on your bills or other payments and grants.

For more information on what’s available and how to apply, see our guide Help managing your money if you receive benefits.

If you’re working and on Universal Credit, you might qualify for a Help to Save account. This pays free bonus money from the government on your savings, worth up to £1,200. You can each open an account to maximise the bonus. 

Find out more in our guide Help to Save explained.

As your Universal Credit payment is based on both of your circumstances, you must report if anything in either of your lives changes. You can:   

• add a note to your online journal using your Universal Credit accountOpens in a new window  

• call the Universal Credit helplineOpens in a new window or Universal Credit Service CentreOpens in a new window in Northern Ireland  

 Examples of changes you must report include:  

• moving home  

• getting married or divorced  

• having a baby  

• being diagnosed with a health condition or disability  

• changes to your finances, like a salary increase or receiving any extra money.  

You can see a full list of changes you need to reportOpens in a new window on GOV.UK .

If in doubt, it’s best to report it anyway. If you don’t, you might miss out on extra money you’re entitled to. Or you could be paid too much and may need to repay the overpaid benefits plus a £50 fine.   

If you’re worried your partner could spend money that’s needed to pay essential bills like rent, gas, electricity and food, you can ask for Universal Credit to be paid differently. 

This is known as an Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA) and could be a:

• separate payment – where all your Universal Credit payment goes into your account

• split payment – your Universal Credit payment is split between you and paid into separate bank accounts. 

You can request an APA at any point, in three ways:

1. add a note to your journal using your online Universal Credit accountOpens in a new window 
2. call the free Universal Credit HelplineOpens in a new window or Universal Credit Service CentreOpens in a new window in Northern Ireland
3. talk to your work coach.   

Everyone has the right to financial independence. If your partner controls your money or is running up debts in your name, it’s financial abuse.

If you’re in immediate danger, call the police on 999, or 999 followed by 55 if you’re unable to speak out loud. Otherwise, ask to speak to your work coach in confidence and explain what’s happening. 

It might seem scary, but they will listen and suggest ways they can support, like paying for temporary accommodation. 

If you and any children are able to leave safely, your work coach could also arrange for your first Universal Credit payment to be made early and provide help with your travel costs.  

For more support and free helplines, see our guides:

• Financial abuse: spotting the signs and leaving safely

• Taking back control after financial abuse.