Numpty question! Will girlfriend moving in with me lose her benefits?

rs2.0

Hi,

Wondered if anyone could advise me, an absolute benefits novice, on the following:

I want to ask my girlfriend to move in with me!

She is a single non-working mum of 2 young children living in a council flat and on benefits. She has no contact with the childrens' father and does not receive any money from him or from the CSA.

I am full time employed earning approx 30k. I have a huge mortgage and after household expenses and commuting costs etc I have around £250 a month to live on (Groceries, food, clothes going out etc). I claim no benefits of any kind and never have done.

If she moves in with me, she will give up her council flat etc and literally just come and live with me bringing her kids with her too.

Due to my above mentioned circumstances, I cannot afford to support her in any way whatsoever.

Can anyone tell me, how would this proprosed arrangement affect her benefits?
I guess she may lose some benefits, on which basis has anyone any advice on how I should handle this situation financially?

Many thanks in advance.

RS

dmg24

Her income will now be assessed as a couple, not an individual. Yes, she is likely to lose quite a lot. If you enter some figures into www.entitledto.co.uk you will get some idea of entitlement.

lil_me

www.entitledto.com might help see if you are entitled to any support.

She will still get her child benefit, 2 kids that's about £30.20 a week, child tax credit which is a small amount a week then it depends completely on what other benefits she is claiming as to what she will loose. Some benefits are not income related, but many are (Income support, Income based Job Seekers Allowance etc).

Handling the situation financially - it would be a shame to loose a relationship because of money, but you should be honest with her if you can not support her. If she could not support herself with a job this would give her the opportunity to decide if she could live on whatever tax credits etc you would be entitled to as a couple. I know as a mother if I was in the same situation, my partner was not willing to look at other ways to save money (possibly relocate, reduce other costs etc) I'd stay in my flat unfortunately until I was able to work and provide for my children - sorry if that seems harsh but a woman and 2 young children can't live on nothing/£40 a week for everything (which would be about what I would be left with if my partner earned £30k and couldn't support me) because aswell as what they will need (food, clothes, medicines etc etc) there is the increase in household costs like gas, electric etc which 3 extra people in a house will no doubt increase usage of.

rs2.0

Thankyou for the quick reply.

I tried that link to the calculator and it suggested we could claim £10.42 a week. Unfortunately that would not be adequate to feed and clothe her and her 2 children!

My initial feeling is that she would be financially better off staying in her council place having the rent paid for her and receiving benefits!

Probably a common situation, but it doesn't make sense to me, particularly as by giving up her flat she would be far less of a burden on the tax payer!

RS

destiny_star2006

Me and my partner are in same situation if u live together you will then have to claim joint tax credits and working tax credits she will get around 90 per week for her and the kids and then you may get a little extra working tax credit well this is how it works for us and were in the same situation as u

http://www.taxcredits.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/HomeNew.aspx

try here do i qualify!!!
Remember the figures it will give you will be for the next 4 month only as its the new taxyear

Zara33

Would it be possible for your girlfriend to get a part time job say when you finish your job.

MrsTinks

There is also the fact the childrens father pays no child support... Which personally I disagree with... takes 2 to tango
Now if the reason she has no contact with him is that he was abusive or violent etc then fine don't try and get anything from him and risk re-awakening his interest in the situation... otherwise I'd seriously think about trying to get him to pay at least something towards his kids.
I think you have some good intentions in getting her to move in - better for the kids and as you say less of a burden to the state (this bloody ancient system we have I tell you!) but you will get penalised! However if the ex can pay towards the kids that should help in supporting them some and you instead of the state will be providing her with a roof over their heads which I think is good.
Personally I find the benefit system far too complex and often helping those not entitled instead of those really trying to keep above water and being as little burden as possible. In your case I think they should at least recognise that but sadly my understanding is that they don't (Never been on benefits myself apart from one week many years ago and that was to activate my mortgage insurance after being made redundant and I think I got a whole £20! Yay! :rotfl:)

blue_monkey_2

OK, I read and re-read your email, have you asked your GF about this at all? I figured not, she might not be ready to come and live with you as she will then have to rely on you for everything except tax credits of around £40 a month (that is all on your wage) and Child Benefit of £120 a month. it is a lot to ask someone to give up their financial dependance and council flat. it requires sacrifices on both parts, I guess it depends how much money you spend on the 'clothes and going out'. Remember, if you have a mum and 2 kids living with you then your life WILL change as well. Maybe it might be worth putting it down on paper - you might get a surprise on how much difference it will make. If you are going out each night for example, you could cut this down as (if it was me) I would not want to give up a house of my 'own' for sitting at home in someone elses house but as a couple you will not be entitled to anything extra and she will then be reliant on you. it is a huge step for a single parent who has then got to ask you (not the childrens father) for £60 for shoes etc... you have to think of all of this, not just the day in day out stuff.

As for the evening job thing, maybe it would not be right to expect the kids to be left with someone they have only just moved in with, both parties have to get used to this new arrangement and OP might not be ready for that commitment.

HTH.

bestpud

tine wrote: »

Personally I find the benefit system far too complex and often helping those not entitled instead of those really trying to keep above water and being as little burden as possible. In your case I think they should at least recognise that but sadly my understanding is that they don't (Never been on benefits myself apart from one week many years ago and that was to activate my mortgage insurance after being made redundant and I think I got a whole £20! Yay! :rotfl:)

I'm not sure why some people feel their should be extra help available to single parents who move in with a new partner?

There are lots of families out there struggling to keep their heads above water and stay off benefits! Why would it be fair to give this couple extra, because she would be giving up a council flat, and yet leave people in existing relationships in the same financial situation without?

That aside though, OP, you would need to support you new partner as your income is actually quite high (although I realise you have heavy outgoings). Have you had a gander at some of the other boards to see if you shave anything off your outgoings as that would obviously help?

alwaysonthego_2

I would back up what the previous poster has said. What's if it does not work out, she would be stuck without her house. You need to seriously think about this. Children can be expensive to keep with shoes, clothing etc. If she does move in with you it is only fair that you should help and support her i.e losing night out and not buying many clothes.

bestpud

blue_monkey wrote: »

As for the evening job thing, maybe it would not be right to expect the kids to be left with someone they have only just moved in with, both parties have to get used to this new arrangement and OP might not be ready for that commitment.

HTH.

I agree - it may be too much for the children on one go.

It is an option for the future though - there is hope!