how many nights can a b/friend stay whilst on benefits?

MrsE_2

Idiophreak wrote: »

You don't need to guess, though...OP's told you exactly how long he stays there...8:30-6:30 2-3 times per week. Call it 2.5 time...so that's an average of 25/168 hours per week. Even if we take off, say, 50 hours for working, he's still only at her place for 25/118 hours...Around 20% of his free time...Nowhere near half the week. He doesn't eat there, he pays bills etc at another address, so he's certainly not "living" there in any shape or form.

The point is, then, he's not expecting to "live" anywhere for free...He's just not handing over money to the OP just for staying the night - something that most of society frowns upon...

(as the OP has said, however, he has offered to pay, anyway...but I still don't see why anyone would expect him to..)

I'm gone from my house half the day, doesn't mean I live anywhere else.

If he stays Tue, Thu & Sat night (as the OP has said) thats almost half the week, one more night (which is what I thought the OP was asking about) would make it his PRIMARY residence.

I would guess he's using hot water & other bits & bobs while there. The majority of you may think this is fine, but I think as he's doing it regularly, he should be helping out financially.
Thats MY personal opinion.
The OP doesn't want money off him, thats her choice. IF she wasn't on benefits & was working, would she be able to be so choosy?:rolleyes:

I would be very sus about a man who lived somewhere half the week & didn't help out.

pipkin71

As many have said cher1977, the dwp would look at a number of issues, including how often he stays over. They will look at where he resides, where his name is on the electoral role, whether you share financial commitments, whether other people see you as a couple, if you go on holiday together, if he pays any of your bills ect.

They will look at the whole rather than one thing.

If your boyfriend was to take you out for a meal occassionally, they wouldn't consider things like that fraud. If he was to buy your shopping each week, they would look at it as a financial contribution to your income. The same as if he was to buy you gift, they wouldn't think fraud, but if he was to buy things you needed in your house regularly, they would IYSWIM.

It's not easy coming out of a relationship, then meeting someone else and knowing how soon to take things, especially when there are children who can be affected by it, so I can understand your desire to go slowly.

Pipkin xxxx

nissan25

terryw wrote: »

Sorry but I have to disagree.

The OP is doing nothing wrong within the rules for benefit claimants.

If she is doing nothing that is against the rules then there is no reason for her to "declare" anything. If a boyfriend decides to stay the night or two nights or three nights or four nights then so what? This is not against the rules. He pays no money for this. Within the rules this is quite acceptable.

Pray, tell us please, at what point should things be "declared"?

I can only reiterate.........the fault lies with government not with claimants.

terryw

Well terryw

As one who works in DWP, I have to say that the responsibilty to "declare" changes of circumstances rests with the customer and to answer your question - anything that has changed since you made your claim is what you must declare, i.e. move address, divorce, partner moves in/out etc. What other way can you expect DWP to know?

How does the fault lie with government? The rules are there for a reason - to protect public funds - our taxes.

When the customer made the claim she was a single mother with 2 children and her benefit was assessed as that. Her circumstances have changed that she now has a partner (whether he stays a few nights or not) this is a change in her circumstances. Within the benefit laws and regulations it is then up to a decision maker to establish any possible affect of the claim.

It is obvious the OP had a doubt whether she was within the rules, hence her question!! If in doubt, check it out.

zzzLazyDaisy

nissan25 wrote: »

Well terryw

As one who works in DWP, I have to say that the responsibilty to "declare" changes of circumstances rests with the customer <snip> It is obvious the OP had a doubt whether she was within the rules, hence her question!! If in doubt, check it out.

OP has checked it out.

DWP has confirmed that she is doing nothing wrong.

What I don't get is the assumption, by some posters, that if a mother on benefits has a bf, or (shock horror) has a sex life, she should have her benefits taken away.

Every case is different, and even mothers on benefits are entitled to a life.

Good for you OP for speaking to DWP. At least you have peace of mind now.

terryw

nissan25 wrote: »

Well terryw

As one who works in DWP, I have to say that the responsibilty to "declare" changes of circumstances rests with the customer and to answer your question - anything that has changed since you made your claim is what you must declare, i.e. move address, divorce, partner moves in/out etc. What other way can you expect DWP to know?

How does the fault lie with government? The rules are there for a reason - to protect public funds - our taxes.

When the customer made the claim she was a single mother with 2 children and her benefit was assessed as that. Her circumstances have changed that she now has a partner (whether he stays a few nights or not) this is a change in her circumstances. Within the benefit laws and regulations it is then up to a decision maker to establish any possible affect of the claim.

It is obvious the OP had a doubt whether she was within the rules, hence her question!! If in doubt, check it out.

The OP has "checked this out". See her post above. As I stated many posts ago, this lady has done nothing at all wrong within the rules. The official bods have confirmed this.

Again I have to disagree. The OP does NOT have a partner........the OP has a friend who stays over a few nights a week and does not contribute in ANY way. If she had a partner or someone who gave her money then of course it should be reported. BUT she has neither of these. She has not, to quote you, moved address, divorced, partner moved in/out etc. None of these apply....so what should she report?

Ah, perhaps you mean the "etc"! A bloke down the chip shop bought me haddock and chips..........is this a financial relationship? Another bloke took my bin down to the council lorry..........is this living together as husband and wife? Bloke 3 got my shopping from Tesco.........is this something else?

Please, please tell me at what point these thing should be reported so that the Decision Maker can look at the case?

I have got to agree with you about benefit fraud. It is a nasty crime and should be heavily punished. But we have to be careful not to penalize the vast majority who are running their lives as best they can and have no wish to be fraudulent..

Government could easily give a set of guidelines which puts everyone in a better position rather than the present wishy-washy regulations.

terryw

changkra

Bernie_Flint wrote: »

I wish I could afford a Sunday Roast. But unfortunately, I work which means I can't afford it.

Ouch!:eek::D

boydE

all the best with your situation.

pudster75

Hi everyone, I don't know how to ask a question on this forum, (I think it's called creating a post?) I thought I would ask on here as my question is related to cher1977's question in some ways. I have been on incapacity benefit for about 3 years due to depression and anxiety, I get most of my council tax and rent paid for a flat I rent. Over the last 1yr 6 months I have lost my Dad to cancer and my Mum has been in hospital 4 times, 2 of those times she nearly died. Despite the problems I have, I have managed to be strong for her and stay with her on and off to help where and when I can, most of the time it's a case of me just being there incase she has a fall. I have a neighbour who rings the fraud department or whoever it is when he notices that I haven't been back to my flat for a while and tells them that I'm not living their any more and that I'm claiming benefits when I am not ill. We had a fall out years ago, I know it's him but I can't prove it!
My question is. Can he keep doing that? Surely there is a limit to how many times they threaten to stop my benefits unless I go to see them and am I allowed to stay with my Mum from time to time if I think she is in danger and if so for how long. Thanks to anyone who can help as they want me to attend another interview in a few days time over the same thing again!

Valli

@ Pudster

While I have no direct experience of this I would suggest that you get written confirmation from your mum's GP (with your mum's permission, of course) outlining the events in your family and the fact that your mum has needed some extra support over the past few months, and take this with you to the interview. Also, if any other agencies are supporting your mum ask for confirmation from them, too.

Other than that as far as I can see you are doing nothing wrong. Chances are that the reports are being made anonymously and this is why (IF indeed it is the same person who reports you) you have to attend and re-attend interviews. Perhaps it would be a good idea for them to record on your file that you are being reported frequently for the 'same' thing and possible by the same person.

real1314

pudster75 wrote: »

Surely there is a limit to how many times they threaten to stop my benefits unless I go to see them and am I allowed to stay with my Mum from time to time if I think she is in danger and if so for how long.

For HB and CTB there are some limits on how long you can stay away from home - I think 13 weeks might be the limit, it might be worth checking when you go in to see them?

The best thing to do is to fully explain the situation so that they are aware of the situation. If you also provide a letter from your mum agreeing that they can check her records to confirm that you have been supporting her, that might help them to clear the case from their desk (they don't want to spend time harrassing people who have done nothing wrong).

There might also be limits on how long you can stay away in your tenancy agreement - you should check this too, to avoid any problems.

Also, has you mum claimed all the appropriate benefits, and have you claimed anything else you could be getting?

DLA might be allowed for your mum, depending on age / impact of her disabilities.
If she has / gets DLA, you might get carer's allowance too.

Does your mum / do you use mcmillan or any other support/ They can be helpful in ensuring you get all the support (incl financial) that you need. :cool: