Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook 2021/22Part 2: Universal creditChapter 7: Income 1. Whose income counts
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Welfare Benefits and Tax Credits Handbook 2022/23

1. Whose income counts
If you are single, only your own income counts when working out your universal credit (UC) award.1s8(4)(a) WRA 2012
Couples usually make a joint claim, and your UC award is worked out using both your income and your partner’s income.2s8(4)(b) and Sch 1 para 4(5) WRA 2012; reg 22(1) UC Regs
There are some situations in which one member of a couple qualifies for UC but the other does not – eg, in certain circumstances if your partner is under age 18, does not meet residence tests, is out of the country or is in prison (see here). In these cases, you make a single claim. You do not get any amount for your partner in your UC award, but your partner’s income (and capital) is still added to yours when working out how much UC you get.3Regs 3(3) and (6) and 22(3) UC Regs
Children’s income is ignored.
 
1     s8(4)(a) WRA 2012 »
2     s8(4)(b) and Sch 1 para 4(5) WRA 2012; reg 22(1) UC Regs »
3     Regs 3(3) and (6) and 22(3) UC Regs »
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