Housing benefit query

as220375

Just a quick question that i'm hoping someone can help with.

I'm a single parent of 2 and am currently in the process of moving house. I am looking at the option of getting housing benefit to help with my rent and am aware of how much I would be entitled to per week based on me living as a single parent. However, the children's dad does stay over at the house 3/4 times a week to help (as the children are still very young babies and I need all the help that I can get). He does not help financially towards bills etc and therefore I am certainly living as a single parent in that respect.

Therefore would I still be entitled to claim housing benefit - or would I not be entitled to this as he is staying at the house a few times a week. I don't believe that I would be entitled to anything if we were still a couple and claimed as that.

Many thanks for any advice.

dmg24

You need to inform the DWP (if you are claiming benefits), HMRC and the LA and let them decide if you should be claiming as a couple or not.

pandaspot

The question hb would ask is what does he class as his permanent residence? Does he keep clothes/belongings at your house?

viktory

Is he registered to pay c/tax elsewhere? Where does his post get sent? Is he on the electoral register as living somewhere else?

real1314

as220375 wrote: »

Just a quick question that i'm hoping someone can help with.

I'm a single parent of 2 and am currently in the process of moving house. I am looking at the option of getting housing benefit to help with my rent and am aware of how much I would be entitled to per week based on me living as a single parent. However, the children's dad does stay over at the house 3/4 times a week to help (as the children are still very young babies and I need all the help that I can get). He does not help financially towards bills etc and therefore I am certainly living as a single parent in that respect.

Therefore would I still be entitled to claim housing benefit - or would I not be entitled to this as he is staying at the house a few times a week. I don't believe that I would be entitled to anything if we were still a couple and claimed as that.

Many thanks for any advice.

Why doesn't he help toward the bills for his children?

Seems a bit of a poor father to not pay for the things his kids need. Have you asked the child maintenance people to get him to put his hand in his pocket?

Pinkruth

Hhhhmmmm, you will need to tell them. Dont keep something like that from any of the departments you claim benefit for. Why does he not contribute if he stays at yours and uses your electricity, water and eats your food? Your benefits are designed to help a single parent support their children, not another adult too. What does he actually do for money himself? Does he work or is he claiming benefits? These are all questions you may be asked. I understand how difficult it is with small children/babies, but I think you may be treading a fine line with him staying 3/4 nights a week.

as220375

Thank you all for your answers. I am certainly not going to attempt to claim by giving false information. I just wondered whether I would still be able to claim. But you seem to have answered some of my questions.

Thanks again - think i'll only find out definites by calling them and checking.

dseventy

as220375 wrote: »

However, the children's dad does stay over at the house 3/4 times a week to help (as the children are still very young babies and I need all the help that I can get). He does not help financially towards bills etc and therefore I am certainly living as a single parent in that respect.

Who in their right mind allows someone to stay over more than 50% of the week and not charges them any money for rent/food?

Presumably he is having showers? Eating? Heating on?

You have children and are struggling towards your rent and are considering asking for state intervention, yet will not charge the father of your children for some help, especially as he lives there 50% of the week!

Shocking!

D70

HappyMJ

dseventy wrote: »

Who in their right mind allows someone to stay over more than 50% of the week and not charges them any money for rent/food?

D70

Me!!!! oh that means my mind aint right. Housing benefit pays my rent so it isn't fair I charge my GF rent. I dont spend that much on food. She brings the drinks and does bring some food. The electric/gas I would have paid for anyway I doubt it costs much more for an extra shower maybe 10p. (8.5kw*6 minutes*12p/kw). I'm not that petty.

SuzieSue

dseventy wrote: »

Who in their right mind allows someone to stay over more than 50% of the week and not charges them any money for rent/food?

Presumably he is having showers? Eating? Heating on?

You have children and are struggling towards your rent and are considering asking for state intervention, yet will not charge the father of your children for some help, especially as he lives there 50% of the week!

Shocking!

D70

Why should a father pay for his children when the state will pick up the tab? That's 13 years of Nu Labour for you.

SuzieSue

HappyMJ wrote: »

Me!!!! oh that means my mind aint right. Housing benefit pays my rent so it isn't fair I charge my GF rent. I dont spend that much on food. She brings the drinks and does bring some food. The electric/gas I would have paid for anyway I doubt it costs much more for an extra shower maybe 10p. (8.5kw*6 minutes*12p/kw). I'm not that petty.

Yes, just about says it all.