Cohabiting and benefits

haily111

Hello all!

My other half and I have been going out for a year now. Up until we were going out I was a single parent, working, receiving Working Tax Credit, Child Benefit and help towards dental costs. My partner has his own house which he pays all the bills on, his post goes there and he is on the Electoral Register as living there. I pay all the bills on my house and post goes to my house and my daughter and I are on the Electoral Registar. My question is, my Partner stays with us 7 nights a week and doesn't really stays at his house anymore. But as far as I am concerned we wouldn't be classed as cohabiting financially as he doesn't contribute to our household. The thing is I will lose most if not all of my WTC if we officially move in. Am I breaking the law by doing it this way?
I hope this all makes sense.
Thank you for your help x

Emmzi

is the main reason neither of you have rented your place out and formalised your agreement to maintain your benefits position? Or is there another reason?

haily111

I think the main reason is my other half can't decide what he wants to do with his house, the other thing is that he goes back when he is poorly, for a bit of peace. At the end Of the day we have only been going out for a year, so we still see ourselves at the early stages. But I don't want to break the law/or be classed as a benefit fraud x

DorsetGirl_2

Is he poorly alot?

haily111

No, I mean he goes to his place maybe once a month if he is poorly or I'd we have had an argument, but he mainly stays at ours x

Emmzi

I think you are in a very grey area here. Personally I think you are a couple, but there is no hard and fast rulebook, and you do maintain 2 homes. But if you ask the official bodies for guidance you won;t get a chance to decide for yourself.

What does he think the future holds?

skintandscared_2

I appreciate he has his own bills to pay, but if he's not living at his own house I can't imagine the elec/gas/water bills come to much. If he regularly stays at your house every night, does he really not contribute ANYTHING to the grocery and electric bills? Seems a bit mean

haily111

I agree it is a very grey area hence why I don't want to be doing the wrong thing and get into trouble. We do share the the food shop but that is all. I only earn around 4 grand a year do I do rely on WTC to live. If he officially moves in it means I am more or less dependant in him, nit just me but my daughter as well (and she is not his). Just wanted the advice x

Emmzi

My advice is to have him staying over a lot less until you are both ready to commit to being a full time couple.

Which is not just benefits related advice!

bestpud

I think you will have trouble explaining your situation if you are ever suspected of fraud tbh.

You are together more than a couple with one working away all week, although they may have two home as well.

You are also together more than many forces families.

Sorry, it isn't what you want to hear, but you are on very dodgy ground.

Personally, I'd be wary of a bloke who is happy to sponge from you for this length of time and then take off when he fancies! Hes not worried about living off your income so I'm not sure why you have a problem with him moving in and sharing the bills.

FBaby

I don't understand how your arrangement can be financially beneficial. If he officially moved in with you (as really he has), he could rent his home and he would have more money to contribute towards your joint bills. Surely what he would get out of renting his house is more than what you are getting in tax credits every month?

I understand how you feel about making sure you want to share your life with him before him officially moving in. I went out with my partner for 18 months before we made the move, but he was only at mine a 2 or 3 times a week, all his things were at his and he packed his bag to come and stay at ours (I think he did have a tooth brush ). I assume your partner has moved most of his clothes and things at yours. From what you are writing, i would say you are definitely living as a couple, even if your finances are still separate and should inform the HRMC accordingly.