Written Question·Department for Work and Pensions·UIN 98228

Social Security Benefits: Polygamy

Tabled: 8 December 2025
Answered: 18 December 2025

Question

Mr Andrew Snowden

Conservative — Fylde

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many benefit claims in the last five years have involved individuals presenting as part of a polygamous household; and what the outcomes of those claims were.

Answer

Sir Stephen Timms
Polygamous households are not recognised in Universal Credit. In claims where the claimant identifies as polygamous, the first spousal couple (the two partners who have been married longest) in the relationship could form a claim as a couple. However, all...
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