Prisoners - Partner in prison - Help with housing costs - Partner in prison

If your partner was the one claiming benefits before, and they are no longer entitled to the benefit, you will need to make your own claim for help with your rent. Universal Credit is the benefit most people will have to claim for support, unless they are over pension age or are living in temporary or supported accommodation.

You will also need to make a claim for Council Tax Support

If you live in a mortgaged property, check if you are entitled to Support for Mortgage Interest.

If you were already claiming these benefits, then you should notify the relevant benefit office of the change in your circumstances as this may change the amount you are entitled to.

For Housing Benefit, you will still be treated as a couple if you plan to live together again once your partner leaves prison, and they are expected to be in prison for less than 52 weeks.

For Council Tax Support you will still be treated as a couple if you are only temporarily separated

Universal Credit

If you had a joint claim for Universal Credit just before your partner went to prison, you need to report a change of circumstances to claim standard allowance, and any additional payments (housing element or childcare) as a single person. 

Your income and capital will still be assessed as if you and your partner in prison are a couple. If your partner is expected to be away from home for more than 6 months, you will be treated as a single person. 

Example:

Daniel and Emma are a couple and entitled to Universal Credit of £1,320.91 a month, which includes the couple standard allowance (£628.10), child element for one child (£292.81) and £400 for the housing cost element. 

On 20.04.2025, Daniel has been sentenced to 4 months in prison (having a partner in prison brings the joint claim to an end). Emma reports this as a change of circumstances and starts getting the single standard allowance for herself, the child element, and the housing element. Daniel's and Emma's income and capital will still be assessed as if they are a couple.