Petition · past parliament · Department for Work and Pensions

Allow people living with a partner to make single claims for Universal Credit

Closed 140 signatures

What the petition asks

The Government should stop assessing a partner's income and savings when an individual is applying for Universal Credit. Living with a partner does not mean a partner can provide for both people. This premise takes independence away from people unable to work, or struggling to be hired.
When an individual applies for Universal Credit, if they live with their partner, then their income is also assessed and the individual has to make a joint claim. This assumption that one partner should be the "breadwinner" if the other cannot make money can enable financial abuse and makes it more difficult for those in poverty to gain independence. I and many others live with a partner, but this does not mean they are financially responsible for me, or vice versa.

Timeline

24 Jan 2022 Petition opened for signatures
24 Jul 2022 Closed to new signatures

Key facts

Signatures 140
Status Closed
Department Department for Work and Pensions
Opened 24 Jan 2022
Closed 24 Jul 2022

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.