Petition · Department for Work and Pensions
Include children not living with one parent in all benefits and housing claims
Closed
40 signatures
What the petition asks
When applying for Universal Credit or Social Housing, you are only allowed to declare children that permanently reside with you. The government should amend the law to allow children that visit on a regular basis to be included in these calculations.
Single people not living with their children cannot include children who stay with them regularly. This means housing allowance is capped at a 1 bed property, and any housing request to the local authority would also allow just 1 bedroom. This may have a negative effect on any parent who wants to ensure their children have adequate space to stay, and allow the parent to be able to afford to see them and feed them.
Timeline
| 7 Oct 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 7 Apr 2026 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
40
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Work and Pensions
Opened
7 Oct 2025
Closed
7 Apr 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 22 Aug 2026.