Accidental Fraud?

spethmeister

I have recently purchased my first property. I'm 23 years old and have opted into a Housing Association "part buy, part rent" scheme, which is all a bit brilliant. Loving the freedom and the independance and the one on one time with my daughter! I am applying for the relevant benefits but wanted to check about what could potentially be consiered 'Fraud'.
I own the flat. Me and my daughter are the only people who live there. I pay the bills and do the shopping myself. BUT my boyfriend visits most nights and stays over frequently. My parents are concerned that if the benefits people find out about it they might think i've been lying to them. He lives the other side of town and pays his rent and council tax for the flat he shares with his mate, so as far as i'm concerned, I don't think we're doing anything wrong - but the benefit agencies may not agree!!
Does anyone know anything about this that might help me avoid getting in trouble?!

dmg24

This has been discussed many times, and I think the general consensus is that each case has to be looked at on its own circumstances.

How many nights is 'frequently'? Does he contribute anything (food, cash, work on the property) towards your household?

spethmeister

He stays more often than he doesn't, but he doesn't contribute anything (God, that makes him sound like a bum, but it's not like that!!) He pays for everything at his own place, he just sleeps at ours probably 4 or 5 nights a week and comes over after work monday - friday to spend time with my daughter before she goes to bed. Didn't realise this had been discussed before - i'll look for the old threads. Sorry.

dmg24

Not a problem, I'm not sure that anything definitive was decided on the old threads!

If you don't mind me asking, is your boyfriend the father of your child?

My own opinion is that, if he is contributing absolutely nothing to the household, and he has his own house where he pays bills and CT, then you should be ok. However, if you were to be reported to the DWP for alleged fraud (for instance if a neighbour realised how often he was staying, and they decided to report you), they may not take this view.

Sorry I can't tell you anything more specific x

spethmeister

I wish he was her father!!! Sadly not through - her father is a bum who we have nothing to do with. He loves her like his own though!
Do you think I should contact them to discuss it so that I can't get 'busted'?! I wouldn't put it past Ali's dad to tell them Paul is living with me (he's a spiteful pig, so even though it's not true he'd get great enjoyment out of potentially getting me in trouble!) so I'm not sure 'wait and see' is a safe option!!

dmg24

You are clearly an honest person, and in that respect I would say to give them a call and get a more definitive answer.

Whatever they say, make sure you get the name of the person that you speak to!

Best of luck in your new home! x

factoid

Follow the advice you have been given, it is both honest and accurate.:rolleyes:

unicornstar

I would phone them and ask them. I used to work at the jobcentre and from what i remember it was all judged on individual circumstances but as it is pretty much all week he stays with you i think they would deem him as living with you.

dippy3103

It can only be fraud if you give false infromation and/or faile to report a change in your circumstances. So just be upfront with the benefit office and tell them what is going on. Each case is judged on a number of factors.

Just because you get some benefits does not mean you are not entitled to a life!

swanny65

Write in and report his staying with you. Puts the ball in their court. They may interview you in detail about your relationship.

I dont see a problem so long as it can be verified he is maintaining his own household.

The question i would want answered is why isn't he with you all the time..... 4 or 5 nights a week is a lot of time to continue to maintain a separate address. I take it he paying a full weekly rent at his home address and not just a contribution for the couple of nights a week he stays there.

haylibo

The old rule used to be three nights a week or less as a general guideline. 4-5 sounds like a lot and on balance would mean that he lives with you barring the weekend when he stays at the house he financially maintains. Simply because he isn't contributing to your home doesn't mean the LA will assume he shouldn't given the amount of time he's there, even if he has his own place.

BW and congrats on the new home.
Hayles