DWP Harrassing us

xylophone

Not at all clear.

I am assuming that the OP would not be posting on this subject if she actually was in a relationship with her house share?

And how does she prove that she is not in a relationship?

She says that they maintain their own accounts - but two peoples in a house share might well choose to operate a joint account for rent/ mortgage/utilities purposes - this would not make them a couple.

Equally people in a relationship might still prefer not to have joint accounts.

Is it a question of sex? There are couples who choose not to have sex any more.

Is it a question of inheritance? One friend might well choose to leave his property to another.

And what of those situations where an unmarried woman shares a house with an unmarried man?

I knew a female who moved on an emergency basis into an unmarried colleague's house while looking for another rental/purchase.

The lodging situation eventually became permanent but lodging was all there was to it - he had a convenient house with three bedrooms in which he lived alone/ sometimes had a lodger in one or two of them.

In later years, she was the only lodger and sometimes they took holidays together - this did not make them a couple.

It was a mercy that neither was ever in a position to require any form of means tested benefit...

Nick_C

xylophone wrote: »

I am assuming that the OP would not be posting on this subject if she actually was in a relationship with her house share?

Indeed. You are assuming.

I'm assuming that the OP may be part of a Lesbian Couple who want to continuing a higher level of benefits than they ought to be getting under a modern social security system that treats all couples equally regardless of gender.

As for the evidence to consider, there are a great many factors and a lot of guidance in the public domain. It is not a simple decision.

Danday

That is the question, who has to prove what? Should it be the DWP or the two ladies?
The DWP will always investigate an issue if there is some doubt as to whether it should be a couple claim or two single claims. From what I read on the subject there are no hard and fast rules and no one situation that would prove it either way. It is all down to the overall circumstances of the case and on the balance of probability.

Tommo1980

Oh joy....

seashore22

Tommo1980 wrote: »

Oh joy....

My thoughts exactly. The peace was nice while it lasted.

xylophone

I'm assuming that the OP may be part of a Lesbian Couple

But the OP speaks of "innuendo" and an offer to demonstrate living arrangements to the DWP investigator?

Why would the OP be complaining of their treatment by DWP if she and the house sharer are actually in a relationship?

And I ask again - how does she prove that she isn't or how do DWP prove that she is?

NeilCr

This is how tax credits look at it

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/tax-credits-technical-manual/tctm09340

The living in the same household section is the most relevant

It's a complex area but this probably gives some overall idea.

ETA. Oh joy too!

xylophone

The living in the same household section is the most

relevant

https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/tax-credits-technical-manual/tctm09342


There may be several reasons why two people share accommodation, including:

one or both of them has a disability or ill health and they may need care and support

Example - single claim, two friends living together

Two people decide to move in together and share the cost of rent, utility bills and food. They share household chores, socialise and take holidays together. They were and remain good friends but that is the extent of their relationship so each can make a single claim to tax credits.


The OP says

We are 2 females of pension age who occupy one house. We are in poor health, and getting worse. We have no family support. We keep our own bank accounts, nothing joint,

KxMx

My Nan is 90 and single.

She gets state pension, housing benefit, council tax reduction, high rate AA & small private pension.

Every year she declares every rise & sends in paperwork.

Every year the council then send someone to look at and copy the papers.

She does not object to this, she realises checks have to be done when you claim.

soolin

Imagine this from a different direction for a moment, if this was a man and woman living together as 'companions' I am quite sure that DWP would be visiting to assess the living circumstances. As there should be no discrimination any more any couple that claim as two individuals whilst sharing a lifestyle together should be looked at.

Discrimination laws whilst an absolute necessity nowadays can have unintended consequences on benefit arrangements that perhaps 20 years ago would not have been been thought about.