An online petition calling on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to make changes to current rules for those claiming income-related benefits such as Universal Credit who “find love and move in with a partner”, has almost reached the 10,000 signature threshold that triggers an official response.
Petition creator Joe Hardy, argues that disabled people looking for love are faced with a choice of either “happiness or financial independence”. The ‘Allow disabled people to keep all their benefits if they move in with a partner’ petition, is hosted on the official petitions-parliament website and has received more than 9,580 signatures of support - if it reaches 100,000 before it closes on August 17, it would be considered for debate in Parliament.
Mr Hardy explains that under current DWP rules, people on income-related benefits such as Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit (UC) risk “losing some or all” of the benefits they claim when living alone if they start cohabiting as a couple. He adds that this has put him off looking for love.
