Petition · past parliament · Department for Work and Pensions
Stop requiring couples to make joint claims for Universal Credit
Closed
20 signatures
What the petition asks
Currently, the law states that people must apply jointly to universal credit if they live together. This is an antequated system which assumes your partner will be able, and willing to support you in your time of need, placing the burden on them rather than the system.
Requiring couples to apply together forces people to lose their independence. It creates dependence on the person you live with, which can be incredibly difficult in cases of abuse and where disability is involved. The low salary threshold also doesn't take into account that a lot of the time the other partner doesn't earn enough to cover all of the rent and expenses, and it forces couples to share their finances whether they want to or not.
Timeline
| 29 Mar 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 29 Sep 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
20
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Work and Pensions
Opened
29 Mar 2021
Closed
29 Sep 2021
Follow this petition
Sign in to get an email when the government responds, a debate is scheduled or held, or the petition closes.
Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.