Housing Benefits - Definition of 'Partner'

SherlockN

Hi,

I am just wondering whether anyone can help me by shedding light on the definition of a 'partner' in the context of housing benefits.

The short of the story is that I am 22 years old, living in London with my girlfriend, and I have just completed my training as a barrister. It is likely that it will take me about 2-3 months to find a suitable job, and until that time I will need some form of state support.

The problem is this: my girlfriend has her name on the title deeds of a property owned by her former partner. On seperating from her former partner, it was agreed that he would keep the house, and in any event there is very little equity. However, the transfer of title has not yet been completed. Because she is technically a property owner, she would not be able to claim housing benefits in respect of our current property.

If she is construed as my 'partner', it will effectively destroy my claim for housing benefits.

The most specific guidance I can find from the DWP is: "a person you are married to or a person you live with as if you are married to them".

Our circumstances are: (a) we have been living together for 6 months, (b) we live in a one-bedroom apartment, (c) we are financially independent of one-another, (d) we are joint tenants.


Any guidance that anyone could give would be most gratefully received.


Thanks,


Nathan.

Oldernotwiser

As far as I know you would be considered as partners in the situation you describe and your finances would be considered jointly. Wouldn't it be simpler just to take on a temporary job whilst you look for your permanent position?

alwaysonthego_2

You would be classed as cohibitating i.e sharing lives and costs.

McKneff

yes, i would suggest getting a temp job. What you are wanting to do is
play the system to get state help. Being such an intellible man you shouldn't have too much trouble finding employment

You should be ashamed of yourself.
You'd probably be the first one to condemn someone who was on a minimum
wage trying to earn a bit extra on the side to feed their family.
get a job and be responsible for yourself. Why should us taxpayers subsidise
you.

alwaysonthego_2

anniehanlon wrote: »

yes, i would suggest getting a temp job. What you are wanting to do is
play the system to get state help. You should be ashamed of yourself.
You'd probably be the first one to condemn someone who was on a minimum
wage trying to earn a bit extra on the side to feed their family.
get a job and be responsible for yourself. Why should us taxpayers subsidise
you.

Annie what you are saying is probably true, but the benefits board is for informing people of their entitlement rather then giving strong opinions on their reasons for wanting to claim and their situation.

[Deleted User]

SherlockN wrote: »

Hi,

I am just wondering whether anyone can help me by shedding light on the definition of a 'partner' in the context of housing benefits.

The short of the story is that I am 22 years old, living in London with my girlfriend, and I have just completed my training as a barrister. It is likely that it will take me about 2-3 months to find a suitable job, and until that time I will need some form of state support.

The problem is this: my girlfriend has her name on the title deeds of a property owned by her former partner. On seperating from her former partner, it was agreed that he would keep the house, and in any event there is very little equity. However, the transfer of title has not yet been completed. Because she is technically a property owner, she would not be able to claim housing benefits in respect of our current property.

If she is construed as my 'partner', it will effectively destroy my claim for housing benefits.

The most specific guidance I can find from the DWP is: "a person you are married to or a person you live with as if you are married to them".

Our circumstances are: (a) we have been living together for 6 months, (b) we live in a one-bedroom apartment, (c) we are financially independent of one-another, (d) we are joint tenants.


Any guidance that anyone could give would be most gratefully received.


Thanks,


Nathan.

AS partners:definately
btw im impressed finish training as a barrister at 22?

tigtag02

anniehanlon wrote: »

yes, i would suggest getting a temp job. What you are wanting to do is
play the system to get state help. Being such an intellible man you shouldn't have too much trouble finding employment

You should be ashamed of yourself.
You'd probably be the first one to condemn someone who was on a minimum
wage trying to earn a bit extra on the side to feed their family.
get a job and be responsible for yourself. Why should us taxpayers subsidise
you.

wow

I hope no-one was as judgemental of you with your first post :rolleyes:

lil_me

If you are in a relationship and sharing a home, then yes definately would be classed as in a relationship. People are supposed to support each other in relationships therefore being financially independant from each other (wise move by whoever is working I suppose) wouldn't matter when it comes to benefit applications.

SherlockN

Dear all,

Thank you very much for taking the time to give your advice on this matter. Unfortunately for me, your views accord with my initial thoughts and it appears that I will be rather stumped by my girlfriend's somewhat artificial property ownership. Thanks again.

-

To anniehanlon,

In light of your comments, I think it only appropriate to correct you. I already have a temporary job, and I have been working since the age of 16 to fund my education. I have little support available from my low-income retired parents, and in order to train as barrister I have had to go £50,000 into debt. Unfortunately the income from my temporary job doesn't stretch very far when I have London rent and council tax to pay. Most weeks I struggle to afford one meal a day and a travel card.

I would suggest to you that the purpose of the welfare system is to help those who are trying to help themselves. One of the reasons that taxpayers should 'subsidise' me for the next few months is quite simply that for the next 40 years of my professional life the Inland Revenue will be helping itself to 40% of my income.

Before you indulge in unfounded speculation as to who I 'would probably be the first to condemn', you should divest yourself of your own prejudices.

mitchaa

Completed your training as a barrister @ 22. Very interesting:think:

Dont you need an Honours degree in Law? (3rd Para down)

http://www.barstandardsboard.org.uk/qualifyingforthebar/whatistheacademicstage/

And then afterwards, dont you need to do a further year in the vocational stage? And then a further year in the pupilage stage?

http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/trainingandeducation/howtobecomeabarrister/

Interesting you have completed all that by the time you're 22? I always thought a degree in Law took a minimum 5 yrs, honours degree longer

I have a cousin who is studying to become a solicitor up here in Scotland, she is 24 now, been at uni since 18 and as far as i know is still not qualified.

Like i said, interested.

SherlockN

Hi,

Yes you're right you do need an honour degree in law, but this is simply an ordinary undergraduate degree in which a grade higher than a 'pass' has been awarded (i.e. graduation with honours). It only takes 3 years to complete, followed by 1 year vocational, 1 year pupillage.