Thanks to Universal Credit, I can't live with my girlfriend without losing money

People always talk about the money you can save by living with someone else but I would actually be worse off if we moved in together. Much worse off

People always talk about the money you can save by living with someone else but I could actually be worse off if we moved in together. Much worse off.for a big portion of my income, because I am disabled. And if I was to move in with my partner, I could lose at least half of the benefits that I’m currently entitled to.

I became officially self-employed three years ago, after realising that working for myself is the only type of employment that is flexible enough and accessible for me. I now work as a freelance writer and photographer, and I run a small Etsy shop selling crochet animals and bee keyrings., the income can be very unstable. It is never guaranteed, and it can vary dramatically from month to month.

It doesn’t seem in any way fair that I am forced to choose between being dependent on a partner and living with them, or being self-sufficient but living separately. I feel a lot of guilt as a disabled person – I often feel like an inconvenience, and someone that makes life more difficult. I think about how straightforward moving out would be if I was able to work full time hours, and if my disability didn’t limit my options. My partner is incredible at reassuring me, but she is definitely angry at the benefits system for putting us in this position.

The way this all works is disgusting. My mother who has COPD and heart condition has lost her money, her car and her independence since she moved in and remarried. Now her husband has full control over her and she's too scared to leave and start again. She feels trapped.

Well yeah. Benefits have always been like that

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