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benefits and staying over

Hi all.

Some may remember me asking a few divorce questions on the maintainence board a month or so back. I have a question for here now.

I am married but recently separated from my wife. I left the family home, have somewhere else to live, all the bills are out of my name and I pay an amount to her each month as decided (for now) by the CSA.

My wife started to claim benefits as a single person,quite legitimately.

Recently, she has approached me about a reconciliation that involves counselling, and I am willing to give it a try but on the proviso that I still stay separate for the moment to see how it goes.

Now, what I anticipate happening is that we will not go from being fully apart to fully living together like that. I can see myself staying away for a month(ish), seeing how the conselling goes then perhaps staying a couple of nights a week or a few days out / come round for tea after work and phase myself back in slowly (assuming everything goes well).

How does this stand with the benefits. From my viewpoint I do have another property and things in my name. I wont be living with her and will not be providing anything except the CSA payments which are already accounted for anyway. Is there a problem with this? I's expect that it would only be for a month and then the claims changed back if we get back together?

Is there anywhere I can get official advice?

Cheers - and no its not a scam so please, no funny comments.

Comments

  • HappyMJ
    HappyMJ Posts: 21,115 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I would say as you live somewhere else and hopefully can prove it then the occasional night would be fine. When you terminate your tenancy on the property you currently live in then you won't be able to prove you live elsewhere so will have to start claiming as a couple.

    Somewhere you can get official advice? Yes, The DWP and/or the HMRC and/or the local council depending on which benefit you or your ex-partner claim.
    :footie:
    :p Regular savers earn 6% interest (HSBC, First Direct, M&S) :p Loans cost 2.9% per year (Nationwide) = FREE money. :p
  • missapril75
    missapril75 Posts: 1,669 Forumite
    Eighth Anniversary Combo Breaker
    What you describe may well work perfectly fine. There's no reason why it shouldn't work the same as for any other couple developing a relationship during which they spend more and more time together, eventually moving in together.

    Note I say shouldn't. It's always possible that a neighbour or someone reports you having moved back in, even if you haven't. If anything like that happens that might start exerting pressures you're not ready for.

    I don't see much to gain with getting "official" advice. They can't give you any guarantees since who knows what will happen? If you asked and they said see how it goes, they might actually set up surveillance to see if you've moved back or they might give a "review date" and that might add pressures.

    What about getting some form of letter or action plan (although that sounds a bit too targeted) from whoever does the counselling. Nothing detailed, just something that confirms sessions are underway with a view to reconciliation.
    Common sense dictates this would necessarily involve spending time together.

    Then in the event something cropped up with the benefits office you just explain what you're aiming for. So long as you're able to show you have a separate home, that all important independent confirmation that you're aiming for reconciliation should make a world of difference and help you without feeling rushed into it.
  • johnnyl
    johnnyl Posts: 966 Forumite
    Cheers chaps.
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