Living with my full time student partner... Benefits?

gRoberts

Hey all,

Well it's at that point in my life where I want to move in with my girlfriend and vise versa.... Great huh?

I'm in a typical 9-5 employment and she is a full time student and we were just wondering what benefits were out there due to my girlfriend being a full time student?

I know that we might get single persons discount for council tax, although I'm unsure what other options are out there for us.

Anyone else been in a similar situation that could shed some light?

Cheers

Gavin

MrsManda

How old are you? How old is your girlfriend?
How much do you earn? Are you receiving any benefits at the moment?
Is your girlfriend receiving student finance?

Most FT students cannot claim benefits though if you qualify for low income benefits you may be able to claim on behalf of you both.
When assessing your claim your income will be taken into account as will your gf's maintanence loan, maintanence grant and bursaries (presuming she's receiving student finance) which is likely to push you over the household income threshold.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_070816

gRoberts

Sorry, I suppose I should have given more information.

At present, I am a company director earning the minimum of £5760 and then I have dividend payments as and when they come in.

We're 26/27 and not receiving any benefits at present.

My girlfriend is in receipt of student finance as far as I am aware, but based on her living at home with her mother.

Cheers

MrsManda

gRoberts wrote: »

We're 26/27 and not receiving any benefits at present.

My girlfriend is in receipt of student finance as far as I am aware, but based on her living at home with her mother.

Cheers

If she's over 25 and she's receiving income-assessed student finance it'll be based on her income not that of her mother as she'll be counted as an independent student. However if she moves in with you she will be assessed on your income as well as her own for the next academic year.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/Gettingstarted/DG_171579

gRoberts

Thank you for your help Much appreciated.

podperson

You can get 25% discount on the council tax and based on your income for the last tax year (so including dividends) you may be entitled to working tax credits.

Oldernotwiser

MrsManda wrote: »

If she's over 25 and she's receiving income-assessed student finance it'll be based on her income not that of her mother as she'll be counted as an independent student. However if she moves in with you she will be assessed on your income as well as her own for the next academic year.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/Gettingstarted/DG_171579

That only happens if they get married, not just move in together.

podperson

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

That only happens if they get married, not just move in together.

Incorrect I'm afraid, my partner is a student and his student finance is based on my income.