How would my GF's mum's benefits be affected should I move in with them?

pmlindyloo

I am presuming that your girl friend is not already living with her mother?

So you, your girlfriend and her two children are wanting to move into her council home?

It might be sensible to check whether the council is happy with this.

There are two issues here - your girl friend's benefits and her mother's benefits.

As already said your girl friend's benefits will be affected and your joint income will be counted in terms of eligibility so you would need to contact all the relevant benefit departments when you moved in together.

As regards girl friend's mother then her JSA will not be affected but her HB and CT will be. You will be counted as non dependents. (but only assessed as one non dependent as a couple.)

As such, the mum will be liable for a non dependent deduction from her HB and CT . (As you said this will morally be your responsibility but you will have no liability for the rent or the council tax)

The council would have to be informed that you had moved in, which is why I mentioned about gf's mum contacting them first in case there is a problem re: overcrowding.

Of course you and your girl friend would not be eligible for HB or CT support as family members.

The one thing I am unsure about is the housing allowance that will apply to the girl friend's mother. I have a feeling that her allowance will go up with you and the children living there. (from one bed rate to 3 bed rate (depending on age of children) In which case she will probably not suffer much of a loss if any. Can someone confirm this?

Pop along to CAB or do an online benefits check with your girl friend's mum as the main person or ask the council to find out the sums involved.

gazza1988

At present my GF is living with her mum with the kids in a 3 bedroom house. I'd be joining them so it'd be her mum in one room. Me and the GF in another and the boys in the third room.

I did a benefit check where I guessed rent etc (don't worry I'm not using it as a definite) and it said that we'd be allowed 3 rooms and wouldn't be overcrowded.

Her mum is down on the tenancy agreement. According to my girlfriend she hasn't been added.