Is this asking for trouble?

clearingout

Friend, one child, moved in with new partner about 8 months ago. He has own house but has struggled to rent it out. Consequently, they have been struggling financially. They have now decided to live separately when he sees his children (about 4 nights in 14) with him paying all his bills on his home and with her claiming as a single parent again for her home. They are together for at least the 10 out of 14 nights, and for some of the other 4 nights as well in that she ends up staying with her child at his house when he has his children. There is a distance of some 20 miles between their homes, however (in case that means anything!). She works part-time, he works full-time but isn't earning above minimum wage. Her child is under 5 so not yet at school.

I have expressed concern (am also a single parent and a frequenter of boards like these so know how fine the line can be) about this arrangement because she is still very clearly in a relationship and it is seems to me that what they are doing is living apart in name to maximise their entitlement to benefits. She has convinced herself it's OK because he has his own home and will be paying bills there.

Any thoughts? Worst case scenario for her? It is her that will be prosecuted if it comes to that and not him because the single parent claim is in her name?

midnight_express

This is benefit fraud.

whodathunkit

You can rent out anything at the right price.

dippy3103

I think most decision makers would find them to be LTAHAW.
They can't be gaining much by having two properties so it seems a little pointless.

FBaby

This is ridiculous that they could think their circumstances mean she can claim as a single mum. They are still together 10 nights out of 14, how can that mean living in separate homes? Even if he moved to his old house 10 days out of 14 it would be questionable on the basis that they did live together for months and haven't officially separated.

This is a clear case of fraudulent claiming.

Prothet_of_Doom

whodathunkit wrote: »

You can rent out anything at the right price.

Although becoming a landlord is a minefield of costly mistakes, if you do it in a half arsed manner.

clearingout

thank you for your thoughts and the links - very interesting. I will show her and fingers crossed they will sort it out now before she's in deeper water. Thanks again.