I am a little worried by a visit from the JSA people

matelt

Good evening everybody. I got a letter today that says I'm going to be visited by a JSA assessor regarding the person I'm living with. Basically, I'm scared that they may find we are living like a couple after what I read on different forums, even though it isn't the case.

I am sharing a flat with a male friend of mine (I'm a female, but I have a girlfriend ) because I couldn't get a place on my own after my PGCE, due to the lack of jobs in the area. The problem is, it's a one bedroom flat, the guy sleeps in the bedroom while I sleep in the living room on my airbed (couldn't afford anything else). He's a quiet guy, I know him since 2010, he agreed to live here to reduce his commuting time (he's working full time on minimum wage) and to escape a crazy female flatmate. I also want to get away from big houseshares, I'm tired of the noise and drama.

So from what I read and heard from other people, the JSA guys might write we're living as a couple because I don't have my own bedroom and because our belongings are quite mixed, i.e. kitchen stuff, dvds... I also read that we could be considered as a couple if we watched tv together. This is really absurd.

Does anyone has a similar experience? Any thought to share?

Thank you for reading.

dseventy

Do you shop together?
Do you eat together?
Do you spend time together as a 2?
Where do you keep your clothes?
Do you have any financial assocation? (Like joint bills/accounts/registered mail)
How do you pay rent? (How much? When? Cash? Rent book?)
If I knocked on the neighbours door would they say they thought you were a couple?


D70

princessdon

what are your "rent arrangements" - Do you claim them as none dependant etc.

In this situation (sorry if this isn't politically correct) - but your sexuality must be taken into account, as it would make you none traditional partners.

All else as above.

rogerblack

What's being done by the OP is entirely legal.
You do not have to report that you're a couple if there is no lasting committment.
Even sleeping together doesn't make you a couple.
However, the problem arises when you try to prove that you're not a couple.

There isn't a nice way to find this out. How would you work out if two people were 'living together as husband and wife' - if you couldn't trust them to give a straight answer.

Hence all of the 'rules of thumb' that are used to try to work it out.

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/fraud-guide/ may be of use to understand where they're coming from.
See 'living together investigations'.

I would be inclined if it was me to see if I could ask any partner to attend this.

dseventy

rogerblack wrote: »

What's being done by the OP is entirely legal..

Hi Roger, the question is about entitlement to benefits, not a legal and hence police matter.

rogerblack wrote: »

You do not have to report that you're a couple if there is no lasting committment.

Even sleeping together doesn't make you a couple.

Huh?

rogerblack wrote: »

Even sleeping together doesn't make you a couple.
However, the problem arises when you try to prove that you're not a couple.

Ah yes there we are. The questions about this are asked in my first answer.

rogerblack wrote: »

There isn't a nice way to find this out. How would you work out if two people were 'living together as husband and wife' - if you couldn't trust them to give a straight answer.

Er.... first post? And the link makers guide you posted?

rogerblack wrote: »

I would be inclined if it was me to see if I could ask any partner to attend this.

The test is applied to current living arrangements, not who turns up at compliance visit.

D70

matelt

dseventy wrote: »

Do you shop together?
Do you eat together?
Do you spend time together as a 2?
Where do you keep your clothes?
Do you have any financial assocation? (Like joint bills/accounts/registered mail)
How do you pay rent? (How much? When? Cash? Rent book?)
If I knocked on the neighbours door would they say they thought you were a couple?


D70

We don't eat together because I'm on a strict diet so I tend to eat after him.
We don't spend time together as a 2, although sometimes we watch tv at the same time because we've only got one working.
We have 2 chest of drawers, one for him, one for me.
We split all the bills, as it is customary in flatshares. (or is it?) The only bill where both names appear is the council tax.
The rent is split in two, just like the bills, I transfer money on J's account.
The neighbours don't know us, we moved in about a month ago and I've never spoke to them tbh.

matelt

princessdon wrote: »

what are your "rent arrangements" - Do you claim them as none dependant etc.

In this situation (sorry if this isn't politically correct) - but your sexuality must be taken into account, as it would make you none traditional partners.

All else as above.

You don't have to apologise about politically correct or not, it's fine
I don't claim housing benefits, because I'm hoping to get a job asap and I think it'd be silly to do so. So I pay half of the full rent.

matelt

rogerblack wrote: »

What's being done by the OP is entirely legal.
You do not have to report that you're a couple if there is no lasting committment.
Even sleeping together doesn't make you a couple.
However, the problem arises when you try to prove that you're not a couple.

There isn't a nice way to find this out. How would you work out if two people were 'living together as husband and wife' - if you couldn't trust them to give a straight answer.

Hence all of the 'rules of thumb' that are used to try to work it out.

may be of use to understand where they're coming from.
See 'living together investigations'.

I would be inclined if it was me to see if I could ask any partner to attend this.

Oh dear, I didn't know I could be in an illegal situation, I didn't intend to cheat or anything, I'm just genuinely concerned now I read so many dramatic testimonies about people being sued for 'lying' after they found they lived 'as a couple'. I wasn't even remotely questioning the flatshare status until I received this letter. Unfortunately, my girlfriend is currently in France, so I don't think it's a really sensible thing to ask.

Thanks for your answer.

rogerblack

matelt wrote: »

Oh dear, I didn't know I could be in an illegal situation, I didn't intend to cheat or anything, I'm just genuinely concerned now I read so many dramatic testimonies about people being sued for 'lying' after they found they lived 'as a couple'. I wasn't even remotely questioning the flatshare status until I received this letter. .

You're in a legal situation.
The problem is that it can be hard to prove you're not a couple.
All you can do is answer all questions honestly.
If, worst comes to worst, and they decide you are a couple, you can appeal this decision,

princessdon

I wonder if you not claiming HB affected this - Ie they think he is supporting you - which a flat mate wouldn't do.

Just tell them - you are flat mates - have no financial ties, don't have a traditional relationship etc.

People who are married and living in the same home seem to be able to claim they are a couple - so you have many things in your favour.

terryw

princessdon wrote: »

People who are married and living in the same home seem to be able to claim they are a couple - so you have many things in your favour.

Is "not" missing?