When are you classed as 'living together'

TLD1983

Hi there,

Been trying to find the answer to this for a few days but it seems very much a grey area, with no definitive answer that I can find anywhere online, so thought I would post on here and see if anyone knows.

I am on IS, HB and CTB. I have a boyfriend that stays over sometimes, who has his own house. Im just wondering, when does staying over a few times a week becomes living together in the eyes of the DSS? My boyfriend doesn't contribute financially as he doesn't live here. I have read a variety of things from more than 2 nights a week is not allowed, to they can stay as often as they want as long as they have their own address. Does anyone know the answer to this ?

ETA: I have no problem with him only staying a few nights a week but I just want to make sure that in the eyes of the DSS this is acceptable as if it isn't I will have to make sure he isnt staying more than he should be.

Oldernotwiser

There are no set number of nights allowed; it depends on many factors.

TLD1983

I thought about informing them my boyfriend stays over sometimes, as I don't want there to be any misunderstandings, but then I don't want this to cause them to be on my back trying to prove he lives with me all the time.

Caroline_a

It used to be 3 nights over an indefinite period, but I don't know if those rules have changed as that was a while ago. I always thought that was particularly draconian....

Scoflo

In another life i was a fraud investigator. At that time there were many factors to consider and number or nights was not one of them. It was things like meals, who makes them, household chores. laundry. Where are his birthday cards put up? Whio is his next of kin at work? What would happen if your money stopped? Would he help you out? If he would you were classes as LTAHAW (living together as husband and wife) most probably. This wasn't a decision made by us but went to decision makers with the evidence gathered.

the most important factor was.............is there another property? if there was and its upkeep was being paid for ie rent, CT leccy, it stopped there. Your OH cannot keep 2 homes therefore from what you say at the moment things seem fine.

Oldernotwiser

Caroline_a wrote: »

It used to be 3 nights over an indefinite period, but I don't know if those rules have changed as that was a while ago. I always thought that was particularly draconian....

3 nights has always been a myth.

Mojisola

scottishflower2000 wrote: »

In another life i was a fraud investigator. At that time there were many factors to consider and number or nights was not one of them. It was things like meals, who makes them, household chores. laundry. Where are his birthday cards put up? Whio is his next of kin at work? What would happen if your money stopped? Would he help you out? If he would you were classes as LTAHAW (living together as husband and wife) most probably. This wasn't a decision made by us but went to decision makers with the evidence gathered.

the most important factor was.............is there another property? if there was and its upkeep was being paid for ie rent, CT leccy, it stopped there. Your OH cannot keep 2 homes therefore from what you say at the moment things seem fine.

Is this right? My OH has, in the past, had to live away from home during the week and has paid rent, etc, on another property. As far as we were concerned, we were still married and LTAHAW!

Pigletto

Mojisola wrote: »

Is this right? My OH has, in the past, had to live away from home during the week and has paid rent, etc, on another property. As far as we were concerned, we were still married and LTAHAW!

But in your situation you were a couple who were temporarily not living together on a full time basis but with the intention that you would return to living together full time as soon as possible.

This is a very different situation from a couple who are not married, do not live together and have never lived together in the past. In these circumstances the fact that both people have their own accommodation, pay their own bills, etc will be a pretty big deciding factor in whether they are classed as LTAHAW.

bettyboo152

Hello all ,

just a question on why and what to expect.

I have read many post about income support and partners but my case is specfic let me explain.

Bascally im a living career and i look after a disabled woman for over 38 hours per week, also my daughter lives with me and the father also lives in the same house which is the disabled mum son we are in seperate rooms on blow up beds and we are not together.

im claiming income suppoer and careers allwance and child tax credits (single Claim) but recently got a review form to fill out i filled it out and posted it i got a reply to say everthing was ok and the benifit was gonna continue but 10 days later i get a letter for a interview with a complaince officer .... i;m not sure why and what to expect as a week before they said everthing was ok.

as i said
We dont eat together .....
we do not cook or preper meals for eaach other .....
or have much to do with each other



it is not mine or his house it is his mothers and his father works and pays rent to housing assotion he has mental issues and claims incapcity and DLA ....

any help would be greatful

benefitbaby

Hi, you will be visited by a compliance officer to check whether you are LTAHAW with this man. Just be honest and detail what you have said here and read the paperwork carefully before signing it.
After the visit a decision maker will consider whether on the balance of probabilities you are LTAHAW and advise you of the decision.

For more info on LTAHAW see the DWP decision maker guidance here www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/dmgch11.pdf

bettyboo152

i got a interview at the office says nothing about home visit.