Universal Credit and domestic abuse: a spotlight report

Benefits and work

9 July 2026

Executive Summary

The government’s 2025 Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) Strategy promises a safer society for women and girls. As part of its support for victims and survivors, it pledges “to work across the public and private sectors to prevent economic abuse and support survivors regain financial independence”. The strategy recognises that financial insecurity can lead victim-survivors back to an abusive partner. Research shows that a lack of access to money and financial independence can be a significant barrier for some seeking to escape domestic abuse.

While Universal Credit (UC) is a key source of social security support for low-income households, it is not working as well as it should for victim-survivors. Evidence from our frontline advisers shows that the design and administration of UC - specifically its rigid payment structure and the way it accounts for individual circumstances - can undermine some victim-survivors’ ability to achieve financial independence.

Drawing on data from our network of 236 independent local Citizens Advice offices across England, Wales and the Channel Islands, we have identified 6 common problems our clients face with UC when they are experiencing domestic abuse. This research seeks to inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and other policymakers so that UC can better support victim-survivors towards financial independence.

The 6 key problems are:

1. Joint claims

The DWP requires couples to make a joint claim for UC, with payments made into a single bank account by default. This can give an abusive partner financial control of the household, and control of a victim-survivor’s access to UC. While a victim-survivor can request a ‘split payment’ into 2 separate bank accounts within a joint claim, doing so would alert the abuser. This could indicate an intention to flee - which may put them in an extremely dangerous situation.

2. Claiming UC

As a result of domestic abuse, victim-survivors can lack awareness of their UC entitlements. At a time when they have experienced trauma, the UC system requires them to navigate and understand complex processes, access evidence required for their claim and submit it within tight deadlines. This can delay victim-survivors leaving abusive relationships.

3. Barriers to tailored support

Victim-survivors must currently disclose abuse themselves to access UC support, policies and easements for domestic abuse. However, DWP staff do not routinely screen for domestic abuse, and safeguarding records do not record people experiencing domestic abuse as a distinct group. This lack of proactive identification risks leaving people without vital support. Furthermore, advisers and clients often struggle to get timely, consistent information from the DWP, preventing those in danger from accessing urgently needed support

4. Housing costs

Victim-survivors face challenges in leaving a shared home and escaping rental liability. Housing cost support for 2 properties (i.e., if the survivor has accessed temporary accommodation) is usually limited beyond 4 weeks unless they commit to returning; permanently ending a tenancy indicates to the DWP that dual support should end, leaving survivors liable for unaffordable rent during their notice period.

Additionally, when a joint tenant leaves, administrative issues mean the remaining survivor often receives only a partial housing award, despite DWP guidance allowing for the full housing element to be paid. This can cause survivors further hardship.

5. Inaccessible assets

People with assets valued at more than £6,000 will see their UC payments reduced - and withdrawn completely at £16,000. Victim-survivors may still technically own assets which they have no access to after an abusive relationship ends. The DWP can disregard assets when a relationship breaks down but there are time requirements that don’t reflect the realities of many survivors, and it can be difficult for claimants to meet the criteria.

6. Deductions

Victim-survivors can remain liable for benefit overpayment debts their abuser owes to DWP, if accrued as part of a joint claim. Repayments can be deducted from the victim-survivor's income if they make a new, single claim. Waivers are available in these circumstances, but can take a long time to be applied. Where overpayments were caused by DWP errors, victim-survivors can still be liable to pay back this money

Addressing these challenges

To address the challenges identified in this report, the DWP should:

Expedite the completion of the impact assessment on split payments requested by the Scottish Government, to work towards introducing split payments by default.
Launch campaigns to raise public awareness (including among victim-survivors) of benefit entitlements.
Simplify the benefits application process for victim-survivors of domestic abuse.
Incorporate routine, supportive questions into UC applications and claim management, to more proactively identify victim-survivors and ensure they’re receiving the correct support and easements.
To improve the consistency of UC domestic abuse policy provisions ensure all staff have enhanced training on domestic abuse and related UC policies, with claimants also supported by dedicated specialists.
Record victim-survivor status in UC claims, so that any additional needs can be considered in all contact between the DWP and the claimant.
Extend the grace period that automatically covers rent for both a victim-survivor’s former home and their new safe space, regardless of their intention to return.
Introduce greater flexibility into capital disregard policies to ensure rigid timeframes do not deny survivors essential support, and to recognise that disposing of assets may require re-engaging with abusers.
Automatically write off benefit overpayment debts resulting from coercion, or DWP errors.

To ensure meaningful impact, it is essential that any subsequent policy changes are co-produced in direct consultation with domestic abuse experts and victim-survivors.