Cohabiting and benefits

JCRG

Hello to all!! I am looking for some advice/info and would appreciate any insight.

I am currently on Employment support. My partner and I are trying for a baby and if successful she would like to keep her job while I move into her home and raise the child so we will be living together as a family.

She is in full time employment so I was wondering if this means I will lose my entitlement to DHSS benefits?? We will not be getting married but living together.

Thanks in advance!!

skintandscared_2

I'd imagine it depend on her level of income. Have a check on the benefits calculator. Is there a reason why you cannot work? If you are currently trying for a baby, you still have at least 10 months where you could work before staying at home to take care of the baby.

bobajob_1966

Would it be a good idea to try living together before bringing a baby into the occasion?

JCRG

Thank you for the reply. I cannot work due to long term agoraphobia. I have recently had my Atos medical and was placed in
the support group. My partner earns approx £15,000 PA.

JCRG

bobajob_1966 wrote: »

Would it be a good idea to try living together before bringing a baby into the occasion?

Good point!! We've been together as a couple for over 10 years and do spend a lot of time together.

Cpt.Scarlet

It will depend on whether you are receiving Income Based or Contribution Based ESA, if the former, then your partners income will be deducted from your ESA payments, if the latter, then it wil not.

System

Maths isn't my strong point but if her income is more than a certain amount (about £100?) per week and/or she works more than 24 hours you won't be entitled to income based, though you may be entitled to contributions based if you've made enough NI contributions. Do you know which you're currently on?

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JCRG

Thanks for all the replies!!

I am currently on Income based ESA. My partner is in full time employment, 40 hrs p/week.

bobajob_1966

JCRG wrote: »

Good point!! We've been together as a couple for over 10 years and do spend a lot of time together.

In which case you should contact the DWP and ask them to determine whether they already consider you to be a couple for benefits purposes.

JCRG

bobajob_1966 wrote: »

In which case you should contact the DWP and ask them to determine whether they already consider you to be a couple for benefits purposes.

Thanx for the info. We aren't currently living together and my claim is for a single person as things stand but will obviously change should we cohabit in the future.

bobajob_1966

JCRG wrote: »

Thanx for the info. We aren't currently living together and my claim is for a single person as things stand but will obviously change should we cohabit in the future.

Sometimes you do not have to be living together in the traditional sense to be seen as a couple for benefits purposes. You need to let the DWP make this determination, as they consider many factors not just 'do you live at the same address'.