DWP Cohabitation Interview (Upcoming)

dippy3103

Like the judge said in R V Zorlu... It's an imprecise concept

Housing_Benefit_Officer

I had a successful fraud case prosecution where the couple argued they were not a couple because they slept in separate bedrooms as their religion forbade sex before marriage and they were saving up for their wedding. One of them was unemployed and claimed benefit - they were very upset about being prosecuted.

margaretclare

Housing_Benefit_Officer wrote: »

I had a successful fraud case prosecution where the couple argued they were not a couple because they slept in separate bedrooms as their religion forbade sex before marriage and they were saving up for their wedding. One of them was unemployed and claimed benefit - they were very upset about being prosecuted.

I would have said it was obvious this WAS a couple - the mention of saving for a wedding would give the lie to not being a couple. Sleeping in a separate bedroom doesn't necessarily mean you're not part of a couple. I know people who do this because one partner snores! I believe the Queen has a separate bedroom?

It's difficult when it's a 'lodger' situation though, which is how this thread started.

von

Looking at what you have said the following things would persuade the Decision Maker towards finding you and your lodger living together a) the length of the time you have been living in the same property b) £35 per week for board and lodge is nowhere near what can be regarded as a commercial arrangement c) you and your "lodger" have moved properties together three times d) your partner moved the lodger in, she left and the lodger stayed e) you don't say specifically but if you cook meals and eat together, watch TV together, go shopping together etc, these would all point to a living together relationship. The fact that you don't share the same bedroom is only a one of the signposts and as a lot of married couples have separate bedrooms it cannot be a huge factor. Basically the DM will decide whether based on the information you supply whether based on a balance of probabilities you are living together.

I assume from what you say the interviewing officer is coming to your house, there should be no reason why you should show them around your house, they should only ask you the questions of the form they need to complete, this information will then be referred to a. Decision Maker to decide from the information you have supplied whether they regard you as living together. By the way your ages will not really be part of the considerative process.

NYM

justhelp wrote: »

Would they have access to Bank Accounts prior to their visit due next Monday?

Do you have reason to be concerned if they have ?