Disability

hopless

My partner is currently claiming DLA on the lower rate, and income support, and is unable to work, we are planning on moving in together in the new year, but my understanding is this will mean she will lose her income support because of my earnings £25k a year. so all she will get will be £140 a month, is there any other benefits she could claim, as it seems a little unfair that I will have to support her and myself as £140 will barely cover food let alone increase in bills etc.

It worries me as I have lots of debt and barely any spare cash as it is, just feel unfair that just because we decide to live together we will be worse of!!

Any help and advice would be appreciated

Indie_Kid

I doubt you'll be able to claim anything - your income is too high for tax credits and there's nothing else I can think of that she can claim.

You are right - she will lose income support as your income is counted.

mum-of-3

Is she on incapacity benefit as well?

healy

hopless wrote: »

My partner is currently claiming DLA on the lower rate, and income support, and is unable to work, we are planning on moving in together in the new year, but my understanding is this will mean she will lose her income support because of my earnings £25k a year. so all she will get will be £140 a month, is there any other benefits she could claim, as it seems a little unfair that I will have to support her and myself as £140 will barely cover food let alone increase in bills etc.

It worries me as I have lots of debt and barely any spare cash as it is, just feel unfair that just because we decide to live together we will be worse of!!

Any help and advice would be appreciated

You will be treated as a couple for benefit purposes and the income support will stop.

I cannot see anything unfair, that is what couples do support each other.

PinkCat_2

If she lives alone at the moment Housing and Council Tax benefit if any will be lost as well more likely than not.

But as the above poster if your living as a couple income is treated as joint, which is not unfair really.

DX2

healy wrote: »

I cannot see anything unfair, that is what couples do support each other.

I think you have the wrong end of the stick there...

Paparika

hopless wrote: »

My partner is currently claiming DLA on the lower rate, and income support, and is unable to work, we are planning on moving in together in the new year, but my understanding is this will mean she will lose her income support because of my earnings £25k a year. so all she will get will be £140 a month, is there any other benefits she could claim, as it seems a little unfair that I will have to support her and myself as £140 will barely cover food let alone increase in bills etc.

It worries me as I have lots of debt and barely any spare cash as it is, just feel unfair that just because we decide to live together we will be worse of!!

Any help and advice would be appreciated

Thats the way it is I'm afraid.

Are you able to take on a second job to help shift those debts? even a job in Mcdonalds would do wouldn't it, honestly not being funny, I'd love to work but can't at the mo, when i am fit to work again i would consider anything to get money in

itsnotfair_2

If you move in together I imagine it is because you want to be a couple. Having only one partner in a couple working is very common and your salary of 25k is adequate for anybody to live on. It does'nt cost much more for 2 to live than one.
It is sad you say you should'nt have to support her.

MPlant

"It is sad you say you should'nt have to support her."

Its not a matter of wanting or not wanting to support his girlfriend - its a matter of being able to as well as living with the stress of debt. Moving in together is a big decision and could turn out to be stressful and unhealthy for the relationship if money is tighter, there are debts to pay off and independance is lost just because they live under the same roof.

This is the part that seems unfair. Just because you decide to move in with someone why should your quality of life have to be reduced because someone who is unable to work no longer qualifies for govt. income support. Obviously hopless is willing to accept this will happen when his girlfriend moves in and loses her Income Support - but it doesn't mean to say this isn't something to feel frustrated. Its not 'sad' that he doesn't want to support her - and he didn't actually say this.

Its just a bummer that things work this way and money will be tighter - and I think its fine to moan about. Of course this will just mean you have to cut back on how you spend money and work out ways to live on one salary as a couple.

It will be possible though.

Is there any way your girlfriend can bring in a small income? Or perhaps have her DLA increased if she is living with you and you have to provide more support?

Oldernotwiser

Although your girlfriend will lose some money she will no longer have to pay for utilities,food etc for her own household, in fact she might actually be better off! £140 will easily cover extra food and utilities and should leave a small amount over for personal spending.

I doubt that she'll cost you that all that much really!

Oldernotwiser

MPlant wrote: »

" Or perhaps have her DLA increased if she is living with you and you have to provide more support?

DLA isn't increased if someone gets more support - in the unlikely event that the OP will be prepared to do so!