Currently on JSA & mortgage help - do I lose it if I get married?

FBaby

This is utterly ridiculous. One of the main aspect of marrying is sharing financial matters. It means that if something happened to OP, his wife would be entitled to his house....whether they are living together or not. What could it be that for the purpose of inheritance, she has a right to the house, but for benefit purposes, no responsibility.

I am getting so tired of people try to play the rules to clearly step away from taking responsibility for their lives with no shame about it whatsoever.

cattermole

Poppie68 wrote: »

The reason they are not 'together' during the week is that her house is nearer her work place but they live together at weekends...no different than others that are seen to be living together for benefit purposes but work away during the week and go home to spend the weekend at home.

I wasn't referring to the specific poster as the thread had gone off into a general discussion on the rights and wrongs of it all. I merely made the point as to why possibly the DWP might see it as they do in "some" circumstances. In this case if they live together at the weekends, then they are a household as you rightly point out.

It was an observation sorry if it caused confusion.

cattermole

FBaby wrote: »

This is utterly ridiculous. One of the main aspect of marrying is sharing financial matters. It means that if something happened to OP, his wife would be entitled to his house....whether they are living together or not. What could it be that for the purpose of inheritance, she has a right to the house, but for benefit purposes, no responsibility.

I am getting so tired of people try to play the rules to clearly step away from taking responsibility for their lives with no shame about it whatsoever.

Not necessarily because some religions do not automatically leave to their spouse. Laws of inheritance mainly apply if you pass intestate. They are benefits to inheritance tax through marriage through.

Anyway I am sure if the DWP are informed by the OP that his new wife will be sharing his household with him at the weekends. Then in answer to the original question yes his benefits will be affected, and she will be expected to support him and pay the mortgage.

StormyWeather_2

One solution is to postpone the wedding until you're back at work. Then you don't have to answer to anyone.

You could move in with her and rent out your place to cover the mortgage.

frugalstephen

Well, discussed it directly with benefits office, and they were pretty clear. Once you get married, it makes no difference if you live in separate homes or not. You're treated as a couple at the same address. I'd lose all existing benefits.

Strange how many posts indicated a different opinion to that...

mikey_bach

frugalstephen wrote: »

Well, discussed it directly with benefits office, and they were pretty clear. Once you get married, it makes no difference if you live in separate homes or not. You're treated as a couple at the same address. I'd lose all existing benefits.

Strange how many posts indicated a different opinion to that...

Did you speak just to the contact center, its not as cut and dried as that.

BigAunty

There is a DWP decision makers guide (staff manual) here if you fancy wading through it. See around page 700 and onwards.Not sure if its still in date but still has generally handy information.

It contains guidance to help staff identify when a couple are regarded as living together as man and wife,when absences are acceptable for the purposes of benefits and some example test cases.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/decision-makers-guide-vol-3-subjects-common-to-all-benefits-staff-guide

frugalstephen

mikey_bach wrote: »

Did you speak just to the contact center, its not as cut and dried as that.

I did speak to the 'contact centre' after giving them my SS No. so they could research my query. After downloading the 'staff manual' I came across the following definition:-

"2Meaning of couple
08307 Couple means
1.
a man and a woman who are married to each other and are members of the same household""

The basis of my query is that we won't be members of the name household.

Why is it proving so difficult getting a definitive answer to this, and who should I actually speak to in order to get one?

nannytone_2

because most people that marry go on to live together!
you are choosing to live outside the usual peramiters and so must expect questions to be asked

frugalstephen

nannytone wrote: »

because most people that marry go on to live together!
you are choosing to live outside the usual peramiters and so must expect questions to be asked

Not a problem at all, I expect questions to be asked. My issue is with the lack of clarity in the answers!