Marriage and low income couples

suburbanwifey

From what I can see nowhere does the OP state that they 'live together' and claim? so I'm sorry but to start accusations of benefit fraud undermines this board and the help that is supposedly offered! Lets try to answer the question she asked shall we rather than collectively judge and convict without evidence???

OP - there is no benefit financially to you getting married benefits wise, in fact you will be worse off. You would have to claim as a couple and you would both be awarded less to live on as a couple than you both are currently individually. The benefits agency penalizes couples and married alike, which is why the popularity of single parents shot to new heights under the last Govt. I personally know of a couple who 'split up' when they got in debt as by him moving back to his mothers, his GF got more money to throw at debts. They legally separated for 6 years to clear debts then lived together after debts paid. Immoral (according to some) but legal.

You have a lot more rights to assets (when you both have some) etc. when married, pensions etc. In your situation you would be worse off living together and getting married. I'd stay living apart until your finances are better x

Person_one

In my experience , it would be very unusual for a couple of their age to consider getting married without having lived together first, so its an easy assumption to make. Especially as the OP talks as if they are sharing finances 'we barely scrape by'.

It'd be helpful if the OP could clarify.

Wilma33

suburbanwifey wrote: »

OP - there is no benefit financially to you getting married benefits wise, in fact you will be worse off. You would have to claim as a couple and you would both be awarded less to live on as a couple than you both are currently individually. The benefits agency penalizes couples and married alike, which is why the popularity of single parents shot to new heights under the last Govt. I personally know of a couple who 'split up' when they got in debt as by him moving back to his mothers, his GF got more money to throw at debts. They legally separated for 6 years to clear debts then lived together after debts paid. Immoral (according to some) but legal.

You have a lot more rights to assets (when you both have some) etc. when married, pensions etc. In your situation you would be worse off living together and getting married. I'd stay living apart until your finances are better x

You are ignoring the fact that maintaining one household is much cheaper than maintaining two.

fluffnutter

Are your benefits more important than entering into a life together with the person you love? Wow. I know it's good to be practical but if you love someone, marry them. If you don't, don't.

And this 'we don't declare ourselves as an official couple' business sounds rather close to benefit fraud, IMO.

suburbanwifey

fluffnutter wrote: »

Are your benefits more important than entering into a life together with the person you love? Wow. I know it's good to be practical but if you love someone, marry them. If you don't, don't.

And this 'we don't declare ourselves as an official couple' business sounds rather close to benefit fraud, IMO.

Judging again !!!! I'm well off but still lift the shampoos from hotels and pick up the odd sugar from a cafe for my hiking backpack but I've never broken the law in my life I'd like to find anyone on here who is so squeaky clean that they can be judge and jury in the way that many on here behave like. The OP was asking a question! why can't people just answer the question, poor OP will probably not come back now because of all this sniping about possible benefit fraud. Jeeeesus !

suburbanwifey

fluffnutter wrote: »

Are your benefits more important than entering into a life together with the person you love? Wow. I know it's good to be practical but if you love someone, marry them. If you don't, don't.

And this 'we don't declare ourselves as an official couple' business sounds rather close to benefit fraud, IMO.

Actually, being financially in a mess is one of the biggest causes of relationship breakdown. Personally and this is just my opinion, the OP is being very sensible thinking about money prior to them tying the knot when they both earn below the required minimum for a decent life, thus meaning they have to claim benefits (which they ultimately are entitled to else they wouldn't get it) Looking at the pro's and con's of getting married tells me that they have a better chance of making it when they do marry than those that think of love alone. Marriages are made in love and broken in lots of different ways, money being a big culprit. Starting married life off poor and with debt is a nail in the coffin of love already. Money doesn't buy happiness but a lack of it sure can cause emotional and physical unhappiness! I think she is very sensible to think about the possibility of reduced money if they marry and the consequences of that. Good Luck to them!