DWP Universal Credit warning as couples face cuts if they don't follow rules

22 December 2023 , 14:59

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The DWP has shared a warning to couples who jointly claim Universal Credit (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Couples with a joint Universal Credit claim could have their benefits cut if one partner doesn't follow DWP rules.

In a recent update, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) warned that couples could see a reduction in their joint Universal Credit payment if one person doesn't follow their Universal Credit Claimant Commitment. This is an official agreement on what you have to do to get Universal Credit payments and includes things like preparing for and looking for work, or increasing your earnings if you are already working.

When a couple makes a joint claim for Universal Credit they both may be required to do certain things to keep receiving the payments they are entitled to. For example, the DWP may tell one or both partners to attend appointments or accept job offers.

If you don't commit, then the joint claim could receive an official sanction. If you get a sanction, your benefit is reduced or even cut entirely for several months depending on the severity of your rule break.

There are different levels of sanctions and the four sanction levels are: Lowest, Low, Medium and Higher. The lowest level lasts for seven days whilst the highest can reach 182 if you're a repeat offender. The amount of Universal Credit you will lose for your sanction will depend on how you get each month although it can be cut by 100%.

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This could see the couple lose out on a large chunk of money, even if it was just one person who didn't meet their responsibilities while the other did.

The update read: "If a sanction is applied to your Universal Credit we will tell you how much you will lose and for how long. If you’re in a couple and only one of you does not meet their responsibilities, you may receive a sanction to your joint payment."

If you’re part of a couple you and your partner will need to make a joint claim for Universal Credit. The DWP counts two people as being a couple if they live in the same household and are:

• married to each other
• civil partners of each other
• living together as if they were married

According to the guidance, to claim Universal Credit as a couple, both you and your partner must:

• Living in England, Scotland or Wales
• Live at the same address
• Be married to each other, civil partners of each other, or living together as if you were married
• Not be in full–time advanced education - except in certain circumstances such as if you’re responsible for a child, or receive certain disability benefits and have a limited capacity for work
• Not have joint savings or capital over £16,000
• Be 18 or over - although you can claim Universal Credit at 16 in certain circumstances

Ruby Flanagan