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<p>When a couple separates and still require the support of Universal Credit they
will claim separately and as such the two claimants will be treated as entirely separate
claims and will have their entitlements and therefore award amounts treated accordingly.</p><p>
</p><p>If an advance has been awarded to a couple and the couple subsequently separate,
they will be equally liable to repay the advance.</p><p> </p><p>When a couple separates,
and an advance has not been recovered from the associated benefit claim because the
claim ends or there was no entitlement to that benefit, the outstanding balance is
treated as if it were an overpayment. This would then be recoverable (as per Section
71 of the Social Security Administration Act 1992) at the standard overpayment rate.</p><p><strong>
</strong></p><p>After separation, if a couple have an overpayment for which they are
both equally liable, the debt is apportioned equally. Once this apportionment has
been done we will not reverse the split liability decision. Any debt for which only
one member of a couple is liable will follow that person on separation.</p>
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