I claim Universal Credit. How will this be affected?

Your Universal Credit (UC) is normally unaffected until you have been in hospital for more than six months but at present, there is no information about what happens after six months. Get advice from a welfare rights specialist or your local Job Centre if this applies to you, so then you can understand what you need to do. You can also get advice from your local Citizens Advice Bureau:

Citizens Advice Bureau

Telephone (England): 08444 111 444
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Couples

You and your partner continue to count as a couple for UC for six months but after this time, both of you will be treated as single claimants and you may need to reapply for benefits. This means that:

• You can no longer make a joint claim for UC,
• The calculation of your benefit no longer includes amounts for your partner, and
• You should notify the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) as you may have to reclaim UC as a single person.