How many Days can someone stop?

Pepzofio

Poppy9 wrote: »

If you have someone who stays with you on a regular basis then as other posters have said they should contribute to the household. It shouldn't all be left to the state to pick up.

Not necessarily. Many people are in relationships and do not live together but will 'stay over' at the other's place on a regular basis - does that mean they should both lose their single person discount for CT? OP does not state whether or not they are asking with a view to claiming benefits.

Unless someone is living somewhere all of the time then they are almost certain to be living somewhere else as well, in which case they are probably contributing to that household. And define 'regular basis' - once a fortnight is technically 'regular'...

(Although I agree it was a bit of a rude response!)

Pepzofio

Widelats wrote: »

You are correct :T If there is no mail to that person they do not legally live there.

Err... I think you're on dodgy ground there - as dipsy says, it's a very grey area. Afterall, surely it would occur to someone intent on defrauding the benefits system not to provide rock solid proof that they lived there?!?! (Although I know some people really are that stupid...)

Having somewhere as your postal address certainly makes it harder to argue that you don't live there, but I don't think you could use the reverse to prove that you didn't live there, certainly as far as the benefits fraud investigation teams are concerned.

Aytoun27

If it's any help, my sister who was claiming IS at the time, was told that her adult daughter would be classed as a visitor, not a resident, if she stayed 3 nights a week or less. That was a couple of years ago though, they may have moved the goal posts since then.

BLUEWKD

Thanks for all your help. It is in relation to claiming benefit. The other person is a long time friend (only) and lives and pays council tax at another address, but sometimes I don't like being on my own and he stops for a few days.

dmg24

Pepzofio wrote: »

Err... I think you're on dodgy ground there - as dipsy says, it's a very grey area. Afterall, surely it would occur to someone intent on defrauding the benefits system not to provide rock solid proof that they lived there?!?! (Although I know some people really are that stupid...)

Having somewhere as your postal address certainly makes it harder to argue that you don't live there, but I don't think you could use the reverse to prove that you didn't live there, certainly as far as the benefits fraud investigation teams are concerned.

I agree. My friend has her post sent to her parents address, but she has not lived there for ten years. She gets it sent there because she moves around a lot, so it makes sense to have a regular point of contact.

Poppy9

Pepzofio wrote: »

Not necessarily. Many people are in relationships and do not live together but will 'stay over' at the other's place on a regular basis - does that mean they should both lose their single person discount for CT? OP does not state whether or not they are asking with a view to claiming benefits.

Unless someone is living somewhere all of the time then they are almost certain to be living somewhere else as well, in which case they are probably contributing to that household. And define 'regular basis' - once a fortnight is technically 'regular'...

(Although I agree it was a bit of a rude response!)

As this is on the benefits board I think it's safe to assume that it's with regard to claiming benefits and if someone is staying 3-4 nights a week then they are living there.

I don't see there is any advantage to two people running two separate homes with all their bills and living 1/2 the week in each house unless they are renting one out and living together but not declaring it or "technically" living with their parents.

When my OH worked away for 4 months and was only home for 2 nights a week should I have been entitled to council tax discoount and tax credits as I only work part-time and had a child? I could have moved his clothes to his mothers, had his mail sent there and hey presto I could claim, apparently. I would have been lying and committing fraud as it would have still been his home as we were just pretending it wasn't. Free money from the state though so perhaps I missed a trick there, would have helped with OH travelling costs:rolleyes:

I just don't think we should be advising people on how to circumvent benefit rules to their advantage on these boards.

dmg24

Poppy9 wrote: »

As this is on the benefits board I think it's safe to assume that it's with regard to claiming benefits and if someone is staying 3-4 nights a week then they are living there.

I don't see there is any advantage to two people running two separate homes with all their bills and living 1/2 the week in each house unless they are renting one out and living together but not declaring it or "technically" living with their parents.

When my OH worked away for 4 months and was only home for 2 nights a week should I have been entitled to council tax discoount and tax credits as I only work part-time and had a child? I could have moved his clothes to his mothers, had his mail sent there and hey presto I could claim, apparently. I would have been lying and committing fraud as it would have still been his home as we were just pretending it wasn't. Free money from the state though so perhaps I missed a trick there, would have helped with OH travelling costs:rolleyes:

I just don't think we should be advising people on how to circumvent benefit rules to their advantage on these boards.

I can't see where anybody has suggested circumventing the rules, the OP certainly hasn't.

My partner lives 100 miles away from me. He often works in my city. He is currently staying from Monday night to Friday morning. Are you saying that he lives with me? I can assure you he doesn't!

BLUEWKD

not trying to circumvent rules or get round them, just trying to clarify them. If it is a case of classed as living with you if they stop a couple of nights then will say go back to your own place, but sometimes want company (get depressed a lot) but don't want it causing hassle. Both have trouble sleeping and like staying up late watching movies etc.
Sometimes people on here can be too quick to judge, when others are wanting genuine help. Thanks to all you who have genuinly given advice.

dmg24

BLUEWKD wrote: »

Thanks for all your help. It is in relation to claiming benefit. The other person is a long time friend (only) and lives and pays council tax at another address, but sometimes I don't like being on my own and he stops for a few days.

Is the few days every week, and where does he sleep when he stays? (You don't have to answer that, it is more just an idea of what you may be asked!)

As others have said, there are so many variables that would be considered, they basically try to build up a picture of your life with the person (if there is one!). My feeling is that you have nothing to worry about, but no one can really tell for sure without knowing all the details of your life.

Pepzofio

Poppy9 wrote: »

As this is on the benefits board I think it's safe to assume that it's with regard to claiming benefits and if someone is staying 3-4 nights a week then they are living there.

I don't see there is any advantage to two people running two separate homes with all their bills and living 1/2 the week in each house unless they are renting one out and living together but not declaring it or "technically" living with their parents.

When my OH worked away for 4 months and was only home for 2 nights a week should I have been entitled to council tax discoount and tax credits as I only work part-time and had a child? I could have moved his clothes to his mothers, had his mail sent there and hey presto I could claim, apparently. I would have been lying and committing fraud as it would have still been his home as we were just pretending it wasn't. Free money from the state though so perhaps I missed a trick there, would have helped with OH travelling costs:rolleyes:

I just don't think we should be advising people on how to circumvent benefit rules to their advantage on these boards.

OK, fair enough it's the benefits board! But I was thinking it could have just been a CT single person discount query.

There are plenty of reasons not be living with your partner. You might want to 'test the waters' a bit before jumping into full co-habitation, or indeed it might not be that serious a relationship but you spend a lot of time together. Or people might live quite a distance apart and alternate weekends at each other's place. Some people just like their own space...

Anyway, we shouldn't assume it's someone trying to pull a fast one. I'm not encouraging anyone to fiddle the system, but I don't see anything wrong in clarifying your position to make sure you do not fall foul of any benefit rules.