DWP Insist We Are Partners!

Gab665544

According to DWP, my housemate, who has made a new claim for ESA, has not filled in her form correctly. Apparently she has a partner - me!

Now, this is untrue, so how do we go about 'proving' this is not the case?

When she claimed before we were not considered partners then - the local council don't view us as partners with regards to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefiand neither do our landlord. In fact, no-one does, because we are not - we are joint tennants.

Does anyone have any experience in this?

Thanks.

bobajob_1966

How have they decided that you are? Have they done a home visit, or asked for any information?

Gab665544

They have sent her form back and asked her to fill in the 'your partner' sections as their records 'show she has a partner'.

She phoned them and when she said she didn't have a partner and therefore we were not partners, the lady repeated what the records said and said that if we return the form stating what she told her, it would only be sent back again so it was in her best interests to declare me as her partner so as not to delay the claim any longer.

No mention of any home visit and the lady on the phone kept rebuffing my housemates stance.

Arg

Libel/slander claim directed at the jobcentre or flatmate?

gardenpath

Are you anything other than strictly housemates? It seems odd that she would state that you are her partner since being single/part of a couple affects many different benefits etc.

bobajob_1966

Gab665544 wrote: »

They have sent her form back and asked her to fill in the 'your partner' sections as their records 'show she has a partner'.

She phoned them and when she said she didn't have a partner and therefore we were not partners, the lady repeated what the records said and said that if we return the form stating what she told her, it would only be sent back again so it was in her best interests to declare me as her partner so as not to delay the claim any longer.

No mention of any home visit and the lady on the phone kept rebuffing my housemates stance.

Ring back and ask for a supervisor callback - it sounds like you've got someone who doesn't want to think about what they're reading.

Arg wrote: »

Libel/slander claim directed at the jobcentre or flatmate?

Aside from the fact that you do not appear to understand what a defamatory statement is, have you got a spare £10,000 to start an action?

Gab665544

We are classed as Joint Tenants. We've never had any kind of relationship other than friendshuip.

We have other 'relationships' outside of our home, although neither of us are in a long term relationship.

Her ex Cyber Boyfriend (yes, I know) did threaten to call benefits and cause trouble for us because I stood up to him when he was being his usual abusive self (another story for another day) so maybe this is where it has come from.

She suffers from severe depression and i'm worried this will push her too far.

Gab665544

bobajob_1966 wrote: »

Ring back and ask for a supervisor callback - it sounds like you've got someone who doesn't want to think about what they're reading.

She's not in a state too now and I don't think me calling will help will it? Will they just not say i'm obviously calling as "I'm her partner" in their eyes?

If you think myself calling will be ok, then I will give it a go. I'm alot more confident and forward than she is.

bobajob_1966

Gab665544 wrote: »

She's not in a state too now and I don't think me calling will help will it? Will they just not say i'm obviously calling as "I'm her partner" in their eyes?

If you think myself calling will be ok, then I will give it a go. I'm alot more confident and forward than she is.

I don't think it would do you any harm calling, although I wouldn't expect a callback before Monday now. If she can be with you when you call, she will need to give her consent for you to speak to them. Also, be careful not to be too 'forward' with them - you don't want to wind them up!

Gab665544

I will give it a whirl then, thanks.

My concerns are both financial and otherwise.

I claim Income Support due to illness and have been working towards a return to work by doing Voluntary Work. She isn't claiming full ESA as she has some savings. I don't want them to then cut off my benefits forcing me to live off of her when her money is none of my business as we are solely friends/joint tennants. It may even affect our friendship if they stick to their guns as neither of us want to be labelled as each others partner.

She just wants to be left alone and is now wishing she never applied!

System

I had a similar problem, someone at the JC decided me and my flatmate were partners, they sent me a form to fill in asking why we lived together and how long we expected that arrangement to last, thankfully that was the last i've heard of it though i'd have welcomed a vist to prove it. Maybe ask them if they will come and visit so you can prove you're not together (seperate finances/how you live seperatly etc). For some reason men and women being housemates confuses them!