What happens if we move in together?

Jada90

Hello everyone, whilst I've tried finding info myself online, I'm pretty stumped with this one so do apologise for wasting any time! I'm also very grateful for any help received.

On Saturday, my next door neighbour sexually exposed himself to me through the shared wire fence we have separating our gardens, until Saturday, me and my neighbour had a very good old fashioned relationship. Cut a long story short, he was arrested on Saturday afternoon and released Saturday night, he told the police it was an accident, it wasn't but I don't want to go through the ins and outs.

Since Saturday, I've had abuse and trouble from his family and friends. I've been with my partner for less than two years, and to be honest I don't think I'm ready for a partner to move in, but I don't feel safe to be here alone.

I'm self employed, I get working tax credit, child benefit, housing benefit and council tax benefit.

My partner gets ESA (£204 a fortnight).

If we move in together does anyone know what happens, my mum said he'll lose his ESA and will have to live off my money? Is that right? I earn upto £50 a week, get £20 child benefit and £137 WTC, I have to pay a little bit of council tax.

Of course I'd expect us to lose some money between us, but I didn't think the three of us (my little boy too) would have to live off my money alone? I struggle as it is and there's no way I can afford to feed/clothe/house another person - especially an adult with disability needs.

I really do appreciate any help and advice anyone can give me.

Darksparkle

Is his ESA income based or contributions based?

Does he receive any other benefits eg DLA or PIP?

You'll need to make a joint claim for tax credits. How many hours do you work per week?

Have you tried a benefit calculator?

marliepanda

I think you're coming at this from a bit of a wrong angle.

If you're not ready to move someone in, don't. Don't rush into it because of this.

Also, the potential abuse from the neighbours may still happen, partner their or not.

Is the neighbour elderly?

carlislelass

What difference does it make if the neighbour is elderly

Jada90

Darksparkle wrote: »

Is his ESA income based or contributions based?

Does he receive any other benefits eg DLA or PIP?

You'll need to make a joint claim for tax credits. How many hours do you work per week?

Have you tried a benefit calculator?

Thank you for getting back to me, I really do appreciate it.

I believe it's Income Based?

No he doesn't, although his mum has told him to claim as he use to get it before he was 18.

I have yes, but it's confusing me as when I put in what we both get it basically says somethings wrong?

Thank you, I work 16 hours a week.

Thank you ever so much again for your reply.

Jada90

marliepanda wrote: »

I think you're coming at this from a bit of a wrong angle.

If you're not ready to move someone in, don't. Don't rush into it because of this.

Also, the potential abuse from the neighbours may still happen, partner their or not.

Is the neighbour elderly?

Thank you for your reply, it's very difficult, I was single for five years before meeting him, I've only ever known it to be me and my son (10 years old), to have someone else come into our space full time seems so scary, it's hard enough having him here a few days a week, the cost in the amount of fluids he needs alone adds up. He doesn't eat much due to his disability.

That's very true, but after some abuse yesterday and him turning up, they soon stopped.

He is yes, late 60's.

Thank you again for replying.

Ames

carlislelass wrote: »

What difference does it make if the neighbour is elderly

It could be a sign of dementia.

Darksparkle

Jada90 wrote: »

Thank you for getting back to me, I really do appreciate it.

I believe it's Income Based?

No he doesn't, although his mum has told him to claim as he use to get it before he was 18.

I have yes, but it's confusing me as when I put in what we both get it basically says somethings wrong?

Thank you, I work 16 hours a week.

Thank you ever so much again for your reply.

Based on that information, it's unlikely you will be entitled to WTC.

A couple must work 24hrs per week between them (with one working at least 16hrs) unless one is considered incapacitated, in prison or hospital or receiving carers allowance.

The meaning of incapacitated is here - https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/tax-credits-technical-manual/tctm02620

You would continue to receive CTC though which you haven't mentioned in your OP.

Even as a single person TC could question your WTC claim if only earning £50 for 16hrs work which is well below NMW.

https://www.gov.uk/working-tax-credit/eligibility

Jada90

Ames wrote: »

It could be a sign of dementia.

He has two previous sexual indecency reports, one being with the lady I exchanged with, another with another person on our road who helped him with a gas problem. He's also been reported to perve over a woman and her 13 year old daughter, though I've been told this and not spoke to them myself.

Prior to this happening on Saturday, he would make sexual remarks about breast, national swingers day and stuff like that, he also told me the couple who lived here before the lady I exchanged with, the four of them would sit in their gardens naked - my neighbour on the other side confirmed this, but I've never seen the man or his wife naked.I always just walked inside or diverted the conversation. Otherwise he was a nice man, his wife was a nice lady too.

Jada90

Darksparkle wrote: »

Based on that information, it's unlikely you will be entitled to WTC.

A couple must work 24hrs per week between them (with one working at least 16hrs) unless one is considered incapacitated, in prison or hospital or receiving carers allowance.

The meaning of incapacitated is here - https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/tax-credits-technical-manual/tctm02620

You would continue to receive CTC though which you haven't mentioned in your OP.

Even as a single person TC could question your WTC claim if only earning £50 for 16hrs work which is well below NMW.

https://www.gov.uk/working-tax-credit/eligibility

Thank you for replying, and for your info.

That's great, thank you for letting me know.

I do receive CTC, but it's made as one payment on my bank statement as WTC?

I put aside NI, and have to spend on my business, but then I sort that out on my tax return. I've just renewed my claim (had to be done by 31st July) so will they tell me if I'm not entitled anymore?

Thank you again

Placitasgirl

If you are only earning "up to £50 a week" for 16 hours a week self employment then surely you could increase your hours and therefore your income? How are you earning so very little - way below NMW?

I'd suggest upping your working hours to 24 and trying to increase your earnings/hourly rate or giving up your self employed role and seeking different, better paid employment. I'm surprised this figure hasn't been queried by TC's if it's really so low.

Whilst it is true that inappropriate sexual behaviour or comments can be a sign of dementia it seems that you've exchanged into a location with a bit of an existing problem, both with the gentleman next door and previous tenants. Were you made aware of any of this before moving in? If so perhaps you should have been and might have been better placed passing up on this opportunity. Either way it doesn't exist what your neighbour did, or what his family are doing now. I'd look into getting a full fence erected to save any future incidents and to protect your own privacy too.