If you live with your partner, you must apply for Universal Credit together, even if only one of you qualifies. The payment is based on your household income and you’ll need to choose who gets the money. Here’s what you need to know and help budgeting as a couple.
Universal Credit calculator for couples
Our Benefits calculator can quickly work out how much you could claim as a couple.
You can work as many hours as you want and still qualify for Universal Credit, so it’s worth checking you’re not missing out.
For more information on how Universal Credit is calculated, see our guide How much is Universal Credit?
How to apply for Universal Credit as a couple
You’ll need to make a joint application for Universal Credit if you live with your partner, even if only one of you qualifies.
This is because the amount you get is based on your household income and savings, so your partner needs to provide their details too.
You’ll both need to create an account and apply online at GOV.UKOpens in a new window
If you can’t apply online, call the Universal Credit HelplineOpens in a new window or Universal Credit Service CentreOpens in a new window in Northern Ireland instead. They might arrange for someone to call you back or visit your home.   
For more help, including the information you’ll need and when to apply, see our guide How to apply for Universal Credit. 
Existing benefits might stop when you claim Universal Credit
If either or both of you already claim benefits, some of these might stop when you claim Universal Credit.
This includes Pension Credit and the six ‘legacy’ benefits Universal Credit is replacing:
- Housing Benefit 
- Child Tax Credit 
- Income Support Â
- Working Tax Credit 
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance 
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance. 
If you get legacy benefits, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will ask you to switch to Universal Credit.
You’ll get a Migration Notice from the Move to Universal Credit programme giving you three months to act.
For details and help, see our guide Moving to Universal Credit from other benefits.  
If you get Pension Credit, you don’t need to move. You can check if you’d be better off switching using our Benefits calculator.
You can claim as a couple until you both reach State Pension age
Universal Credit usually stops when you reach State Pension ageOpens in a new window But joint claims continue until both of you reach State Pension age.
Once this happens, you can apply for Pension Credit to continue getting help.
Couples get a single monthly Universal Credit payment
As Universal Credit is a single amount paid to the household, you’ll need to choose who will receive it, either into:
- a joint bank account in both of your names, orÂ
- one of your individual bank accounts.Â
If you have children, the payment usually goes into the main carer’s bank account.
If you’re worried your partner might control your money or misuse it, you can ask for separate or more frequent payments confidentially.
See Help if you’re worried about a joint Universal Credit claim for what to do.
How to choose a bank account for Universal Credit
You need an account that can make and receive payments, usually a current account. Most banks, building societies and credit unions offer accounts you can use, even if you’ve got a poor credit score.
See our guide How to open a bank account for your benefit payments for more information.
Should you open a joint account?
A joint account can make budgeting much easier as it gives you equal control over the money. But only consider opening one with someone you trust.
Both of you will be able to withdraw cash or spend whenever you like, which might cause problems if one of you finds it difficult to stick to a budget.
See Joint bank accounts for what to watch out for.
For more help and information, see our guide Should you manage money jointly or separately?
Help managing your money as a couple
It’s important to have honest conversations and plan how to manage money together.
Get extra help if you’ll struggle before your first payment
After you apply for Universal Credit, it can take up to five weeks for you to get the money.
For ways to help you manage, including asking to be paid early, see our guide Help managing your money while waiting for your first Universal Credit payment.
Make time to talk about your money
Talking about money with your partner can be difficult. It can also be a source of argument and frustration.
But if you approach it in the right way, you’ll feel better when you’ve got your family finances in order and any issues out in the open.
Find out more about how to have those difficult conversations in our guides:
Create a household budget
- Our free and easy to use Budget planner will help you:
- compare your spending to your incomeÂ
- get a breakdown of your finances by category, andÂ
- get personalised tips to help you make the most of your money.Â
For more information, see our guide Help managing your money if you receive benefits.
Set up automatic payments for your bills
Once you’ve received your first Universal Credit payment, it’s paid on the same dates – or the working day before it this falls on a weekend or bank holiday.
This is usually: 
- once a month in England and Wales 
- once a month in Scotland, but you can ask for twice a month 
- twice a month in Northern Ireland, but you can ask for once a month. 
It’s a good idea to set up Direct Debits or Standing orders to automatically pay your bills the day after you’re paid. For example, Council Tax, gas and electricity, mobile phone and broadband.
In England and Wales, this will also include your rent or mortgage as any help with your housing costs is included in your Universal Credit payment. It also works this way in Scotland, but you have the option for the money to be paid directly to your landlord.
In Northern Ireland, the money is always paid directly to your landlord, unless you meet certain criteria for it to be paid to you.
For more information, see our guides: 
- How to apply for Universal Credit in Scotland 
- How to apply for Universal Credit in Northern Ireland 
- Help if you can’t afford your rent .
Check if you qualify for cheaper bills and grants
Once you’ve received your first Universal Credit payment, you’ll often qualify for discounts on your bills or other payments and grants.
For more information on what’s available and how to apply, see our guide Help managing your money if you receive benefits.
If you can afford to save, get a free bonus worth up to £1,200
If you’re working and on Universal Credit, you might qualify for a Help to Save account. This pays free bonus money from the government on your savings, worth up to £1,200. You can each open an account to maximise the bonus.
Find out more in our guide Help to Save explained.
If anything in your lives change, remember to report it
As your Universal Credit payment is based on both of your circumstances, you must report if anything in either of your lives changes. You can:  
- add a note to your online journal using your Universal Credit accountOpens in a new window Â
- call the Universal Credit helplineOpens in a new window or Universal Credit Service CentreOpens in a new window in Northern Ireland Â
 Examples of changes you must report include: 
- moving home Â
- getting married or divorced Â
- having a baby Â
- being diagnosed with a health condition or disability Â
- changes to your finances, like a salary increase or receiving any extra money. Â
You can see a full list of changes you need to report at GOV.UKOpens in a new window 
If in doubt, it’s best to report it anyway. If you don’t, you might miss out on extra money you’re entitled to. Or you could be paid too much and may need to repay the overpaid benefits plus a £50 fine.  
Help if you’re worried about a joint Universal Credit claim
If you’re worried your partner could spend money that’s needed to pay essential bills like rent, gas, electricity and food, you can ask for Universal Credit to be paid differently.
This is known as an Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA) and could be a:
- separate payment – where all your Universal Credit payment goes into your account
- split payment – your Universal Credit payment is split between you and paid into separate bank accounts.Â
You can request an APA at any point, in three ways:
- Add a note to your journal using your online Universal Credit accountOpens in a new windowÂ
- Call the free Universal Credit HelplineOpens in a new window or Universal Credit Service CentreOpens in a new window in Northern Ireland
- Talk to your work coach.  Â
Protect yourself against financial abuse
Everyone has the right to financial independence. If your partner controls your money or is running up debts in your name, it’s financial abuse.
If you’re in immediate danger, call the police on 999, or 999 followed by 55 if you’re unable to speak out loud. Otherwise, ask to speak to your work coach in confidence and explain what’s happening.
It might seem scary, but they will listen and suggest ways they can support, like paying for temporary accommodation.
If you and any children are able to leave safely, your work coach could also arrange for your first Universal Credit payment to be made early and provide help with your travel costs.
For more support and free helplines, see our guides:
Speak to a Citizens Advice Help to Claim adviser
For more help and support with your claim for Universal Credit, you can speak to an independent adviser in confidence online or over the phone.
The types of things they can help you with include:
- advising how to set up:
- an email address
- Universal Credit account
- bank account.
- working through the to-do list for making a successful claim
- explaining the online journal and how it is used
- accessing the Universal Credit phone claim service
- accessing DWP home visit support.
You can also:  
- Call the free Universal Credit helplineOpens in a new window in England, Scotland and Wales or Universal Credit Service Centre in Northern IrelandOpens in a new window for help with your claim .
- Find a specialist adviser near you at AdvicelocalOpens in a new window for free help and support with benefits, including confidential advice on whether you should claim Universal Credit.