Cohabiting and benefits

nannytone_2

as your ESA is income based, you would lose it. But you could then make a joint claim for working tax credit and possible housing benefit and council tax benefit

JCRG

bobajob_1966 wrote: »

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'.

Just read a link from another thread on this forum at advice.org where it says in order to be treated as a couple for benefits purposes you have to be living at the same address.

AnxiousMum

You don't consider yourselves a 'couple', yet you are trying to have a child together?

thorsoak

If you suffer from agrophobia, and you would become the main carer of any baby that you and your partner have, how would you cope with day to day living with a baby - taking it out to doctor/clinic/baby groups etc etc etc.

Would it not be worth joining an agrophobic support group, which could work on giving you the skills to get out into the community, maybe even a job, before trying for a baby? You surely wouldn't want a child to grow up with the same handicap that you have suffered if it can be conquered?

BYALPHAINDIA

Also, I don't know if this would apply, But if the property you liv in is in one person's name then you are only allowed to live there 4 days a week ?

And classed as a lodger.

bobajob_1966

BYALPHAINDIA wrote: »

Also, I don't know if this would apply, But if the property you liv in is in one person's name then you are only allowed to live there 4 days a week ?

And classed as a lodger.

There is no law that states the number of days someone can live somewhere, either for benefits or tenancy purposes.

BYALPHAINDIA

Think there are somewhere ?

bobajob_1966

BYALPHAINDIA wrote: »

Think there are somewhere ?

There is not - there may be a clause in some tenancy agreements to that effect, but that would be a contractual term and only applicable to the individual tenancy. There is definitely not such a law relating to benefits.

JCRG

thorsoak wrote: »

If you suffer from agrophobia, and you would become the main carer of any baby that you and your partner have, how would you cope with day to day living with a baby - taking it out to doctor/clinic/baby groups etc etc etc.

Would it not be worth joining an agrophobic support group, which could work on giving you the skills to get out into the community, maybe even a job, before trying for a baby? You surely wouldn't want a child to grow up with the same handicap that you have suffered if it can be conquered?

I have just completed a 10 month CBT course with a Psychotherapist. Have made good progress in that time. I will be taking a second set of CBT sessions soon. I am also in a local support group. Trying my best to deal with the condition.

bestpud

Whatever happened to love? What happens if the baby making is unsuccessful...? You do realise children don't naturally cement a relationship, don't you? What happens if you find you fall out once living together? Surely that's something to work out before you have a child?

But anyway, you'd lose your ESA but, if your partner is over 25 already, you could potentially claim WTC as a couple now. Possibly housing and council tax benefit too.

Also, don't forget you'd only have one set of bills to pay and no transport costs for going between your homes to see each other...