If you are part of a couple, you and your partner will each need to create a Universal Credit online account, and then go on to make a claim for Universal Credit. The first member of the couple to make their claim will be given a ‘linking code’, which will be displayed on screen – they need to make sure they make a note of this.
They should give this code to their partner who will need to input it when they make their claim for Universal Credit.
This ensures the claims are joined together and you are correctly claiming as a couple.
Example:
Sharon and Ian need to make a new claim for Universal Credit as they have both been laid off from a local electronics firm. Sharon makes her claim on 17th July – and is given a ‘partner code’ that she notes down and gives to Ian. Ian makes his claim the same day.
How does conditionality work for couples?
Every Universal Credit claimant has to have a claimant commitment (with some limited exceptions).
This means that each member of a couple must accept their own claimant commitment to get Universal Credit.
If either member refuses to agree to their claimant commitment then the couple are not eligible to claim Universal Credit.
The claimant commitment outlines what the claimant must do to be able to claim and continue to receive Universal Credit – often referred to as ‘conditionality’.
Normally the claimant commitment states in general terms what is required and the claimant will (normally) be notified via their UC journal of specific actions which they are required to take.
If the claimant (or their partner) fails to comply with any specific requirements without good reason, then their Universal Credit award can be sanctioned – i.e. they get less money in their Universal Credit payment for a period of time.
See our page ‘The Claimant Commitment‘ for more information.
Example:
Sharon and Ian need to make a new claim for Universal Credit as they have both been laid off from a local electronics firm. Sharon makes her claim on 17th July – and is given a ‘partner code’ that she notes down and gives to Ian. Ian makes his claim the same day.
They both need to attend New Claim Interviews and accept their claimant commitment. If one of them fails to do so their claim could be ‘closed’.
What about mixed age couples?
A mixed age couple is where one member of a couple is working age, and the other is State Pension age.
Most mixed age couples are now unable to make a new claim for Pension Credit and/or Housing Benefit and have to claim Universal Credit instead. However, some mixed age couples are classed as ‘protected’ – and are able to make a new claim for Pension Credit and/or Housing Benefit and will be better off if they do.
So if you are a mixed age couple it is always best to checked whether you are ‘protected’. If the older member is aged 73 or older then that could apply to you.
Protected mixed age couples
Before 15th May 2019 mixed age couples who needed extra financial support were able to make new claims for Pension Credit and/or Housing Benefit. However, on 15th May 2019 the rules changed.
However, a couple that was already a mixed aged couple on 14th May 2019 and getting Pension Credit and/or Housing Benefit (under the State Pension age regulations), and has remained entitled to it, is ‘protected’ from the new rules meaning that they can stay and make a new claim for Pension Credit and/or Housing Benefit.
If you are not sure whether this applies to you, contact a Benefits Adviser for help.
Example:
Lai (age 73) and Jacky (age 64) have been married for 20 years. They are currently living with family. They are moving into a rented one bedroom flat. They currently get Pension Credit to top up Lai’s State Pension. As they are already getting Pension Credit, that was in payment to them as a mixed age couple and has been continuously so since 14th May 2019, they can make a new claim for Housing Benefit to help them pay their rent.
Example:
Ruth (age 75) and Jim (age 65) live in a two bedroom rented house. Jim works part time and Ruth gets a State Pension and a small amount of Housing Benefit. Jim is having to give up his job due to health problems. As they are already getting Housing Benefit (under the pension age regulations) that was in payment to them as a mixed age couple and has been continuously so since 14th May 2019, they can make a new claim for Pension Credit to top up Ruth’s pension.
Example:
William (68) and Audrey (62) live in a one bedroom flat. Audrey has been working but is being laid off at the end of the month. She will be able to get New-Style Jobseekers Allowance based on her NI contributions, but this will only be paid for 6 months. Their only income will then be William’s State Pension. They are not a protected mixed age couple so their only option will be to claim Universal Credit.
IMPORTANT: For mixed age couples, Pension Credit and Housing Benefit are more generous than Universal Credit. There can be a big difference between the amount of benefit you would receive through Pension Credit and Housing Benefit compared with how much Universal Credit you would be entitled to receive. So it is important that if you are a mixed age couple and you either are receiving Pension Credit or Housing Benefit already, that you get advice before claiming Universal Credit to make sure this is your best option.