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As benefits are calculated for the entire home, we also need to learn about your partner's earnings, their health condition, and if they have any caring responsibilities.
Enter your partner's salary after income tax and national insurance, and if they are unemployed, enter zero as their income. Look at the "How to answer" section below to learn how to include other types of income like benefits and money from being self-employed.
We need to know your partner's take-home income to calculate means-tested benefits like Universal Credit and Pension Credit. If you're not sure, you can use MoneyHelper's Salary Calculator, it's free, quick, and confidential.
If your partner's salary varies every month, any means-tested benefit you get will vary too. To get an indication of how much you can expect, you could enter the average amount you normally get, and then when you complete the questionnaire you can use the "what if" feature to check what you'd get in a good month and how much you'd get in a bad month.
We ask this because some benefits, like New Style Jobseeker's Allowance and New Style Employment and Support Allowance, depend on the National Insurance contributions your partner made over the last 2 to 3 tax years.
Select "Yes" if your partner was employed or self-employed and paying National Insurance for at least 26 weeks in total during this period. The weeks don't need to be in a row.
This includes physical or mental health conditions that have lasted, or are expected to last, at least 12 months. For example, they might need help moving around or doing everyday tasks like washing, cooking, or managing money.
Your partner should be the primary caregiver and provide care for at least 35 hours a week for a person who receives a disability-related benefit. This person can be anyone, like their child, partner, or family member.
The main carer should be responsible for providing at least 35 hours of care per week. The care can include emotional support, memory help, and physical care for those with mental health issues or memory problems.
The person you're caring for could be anyone including your child, your partner, or a family member. However, this person must receive one of the following benefits:
Select "No" if someone else is already claiming Carers Allowance or the Carers Element of Universal Credit for the same person.
Carer's Allowance is a payment you receive if you're caring for someone. There may be situations where your partner may choose not to claim Carer's Allowance as it could potentially impact the means-tested benefits for both them and the person they provide care for. If you are not sure - you should contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau.