What is the definition of Living as a Couple?

longster70

OK. I have looked all over on the internet, and have found only one relevant piece of information up to now, so am coming to the folk of MSE to assist. Here is the situation:

My partner and I currently don't live together. My partner is currently in receipt of Working Family Tax Credit etc as she has two dependant sons, she currently rents a 2 bed house, whilst I live some miles away (100) in my own mortgaged house. She would like to move in to a bigger house, so that I can spend time with her and commute to and from work etc when I do stay.

I have read some advice that states that as I will still have my own address, where I will still have my own belongings, where I will still be registered for Council Tax, Electoral Roll, all my mail etc. that I could stay twith my partner for 7 nights a week and we would not be classified as living together as man and wife, therefore not affecting her claim to Tax Credits.

Has anyone been in this situation before? What are other peoples understanding of this? Any advice appreciated!!!

Dave_liverpool

no, go to citizens advice or a benefits office and ask there. Thats the place to get facts on your situation.

[Deleted User]

I`m sorry but if you lived together 7 nights per week what else other than living together would it be?thats exactly how the dwp would see it and you would only be saying otherwise in order to get more benefits,why on earth would you want to continue with the up keep of your own place,surely the cost of that would outweigh the gain in benefits?
As for exactly how many nights you could live together,thats highly debatable and depends on a number of factors

longster70

I own my house which in the current climate is impossible to sell, however I can afford to keep up with the mortgage payments etc. My partner cannot move as her eldest son is doing his GCSE's this year. If I could sell I would, and then it wouldn't be a problem. Its the fact that we have to keep two houses at the present time that causes the problems.

munchings-n-crunchings

Hello,

I would seek proper clarification.
If somebody reports your girlfriend for 'living' with someone while claiming as a single person, the situation could be quite difficult.
If you were staying for multiple nights a week, then you would be coming and going as a couple, shopping as a couple, eating as a couple. To try and prove that you were not a couple as you had a property elsewhere, would still put your girlfriend in the position where she had to prove the situation.
It would be her that is questioned, as she is the one claiming benefits.

It's just people do say things, especially if they think someone is getting something they shouldn't.

Once you have your answers, and I would recommend you seek advice from several places, think carefully so you know you are 100% above board.

Best of luck, I hope you can find an arrangement that mutually works for both of you,

Munchie

moggylover

longster70 wrote: »

I own my house which in the current climate is impossible to sell, however I can afford to keep up with the mortgage payments etc. My partner cannot move as her eldest son is doing his GCSE's this year. If I could sell I would, and then it wouldn't be a problem. Its the fact that we have to keep two houses at the present time that causes the problems.

The problem is that I think the previous poster was probably right and that it would be seen as "living together" when I actually think it is "staying over" until the committment of selling up and truly "living together" happens. People who are working would not want to be told that they have to "live together" officially in these circumstances, and many of them would keep their own addresses long term (with individual bills, etc.) until they were sure they were doing the right thing. Those on benefits appear not to be able to do this and I do understand that it can be difficult to afford to assist her and also keep on your own home. If you are willing to move jobs and move in with your OH, would renting your own home out for a while provide a solution?

However, I am not sure that it is not a case of being "separate" as long as you do not put any financial contribution into her home, whilst maintaining a separate address of your own so I would suggest that the CAB or some such would be best to advise you.

longster70

Thank you very much for the last two replies - most helpful.

Due to the distance I would have to travel when staying over through the week we wouldn't even be sharing meals as I would be eating on the move (or more likely when i get to work, and before I head back). I would be putting no financial contribution toward her home, like suggested I would be merely staying over, and not cohabiting. Infact it is likely that I will continue to stay in my own home 2 or 3 nights a week to help to reduce the travelling time and costs. Also my partner does work full time so I think it is less likely that her neighbours would even know that she is claiming any tax credits etc. ARGHHHHH!!!

Its a nigh on inpossible situation, and I do appreciate that gaining proper advice from CAB or the like would be sensible and I will do so. However it is also good to hear from others that may have advice to offer, or have been in a similar position.

Thanks again, and if anyone has any more advice to offer it is appreciated as ever!

moggylover

woodbine wrote: »

I`m sorry but if you lived together 7 nights per week what else other than living together would it be?thats exactly how the dwp would see it and you would only be saying otherwise in order to get more benefits,why on earth would you want to continue with the up keep of your own place,surely the cost of that would outweigh the gain in benefits?
As for exactly how many nights you could live together,thats highly debatable and depends on a number of factors

TBH I have always thought that really unfair if you do actually have another address as I have friends that both work and who are seldom apart (either at his home or hers) and yet they do not refer to themselves as "living together", nor do they have any joint finances, nor do they feel that they have actually committed TO living together and sharing finances.

Personally, I do not feel it should be about how many times they sleep together or go out together - it should be about whether the "partner" contributes to the household expenditure.

In my own case for instance, I own my own house outright. If I "live" with someone and allow that person to contribute to my home and its expenses then I give that person a claim on my home - thus I would prefer to just allow the person to stay, and even feed them, but not accept money from them and I do not think that should affect benefits. I see this as an added problem for those on benefits as they are often pushed to make emotional decisions they are not ready for because the system demands that they be one thing or the other.

[Deleted User]

longster70 wrote: »

I own my house which in the current climate is impossible to sell, however I can afford to keep up with the mortgage payments etc. My partner cannot move as her eldest son is doing his GCSE's this year. If I could sell I would, and then it wouldn't be a problem. Its the fact that we have to keep two houses at the present time that causes the problems.

Renting your house out seems to be the obvious solution:j

SuziQ

Woodbine has suggested what I was going to-rent out your property until you can sell it.

To be honest I don't think you have any chance at all of doing what you describe and your girlfriend being able to still claim as a single parent.It isn't just about 'staying over' it's about the relationship,and the argument would be,that whilst you may not be contributing to her house hold you probably should be if you are sleeping there. It's very harsh but when you are on benefits (as I am) the rules of life are made by others!

longster70

Bit of a bummer really! I want to rent this place out - have been trying for 6 months, but the deficit between what I would get in rent and pay on mortgage is that great that it would be difficult financially. Added to the fact that my partner is overly "proud" as she wont let me contribute toward the upkeep of her kids and insists she would have to pay half of the costs!

Things are never easy in life!!!