Income Support & Boyfriend

freckles30 · 5 June 2011 at 9:25PM

Hopefully someone here can point me in the right direction to an official link detailing the boyfriend "rules" when it comes to Income Support.

Basically, someone I know is on Income Support & Tax Credits (she doesn't work). She has children and has been seeing someone on and off for about 2 years (mostly off until the last 6 months I'd say)....now he's over there most weekends. They are going on holiday in a few months and are forever having days outs etc like a "proper" family.

Now, call me a cow, maybe I am, but I'm feeling a little bit peeved that she seems to be living the best of both worlds here, and I'm wondering how on earth this can be allowed. What are the ACTUAL rules for having a boyfriend when you're on Income Support?? It seems that until he moves in, she isn't actually classed as in a relationship, so is managing to get away with stuff that I personally think is pushing the system!!

Any info would be much appreciated

Jinx · 5 June 2011 at 9:31PM

I think a partner is allowed to stay over 2 nights a week but I dont think there are limits on the time they spend together.... Im sure someone more knowledge will have a link....

happy_lass · 5 June 2011 at 9:35PM

freckles30 wrote: »

Hopefully someone here can point me in the right direction to an official link detailing the boyfriend "rules" when it comes to Income Support.

Basically, someone I know is on Income Support & Tax Credits (she doesn't work). She has children and has been seeing someone on and off for about 2 years (mostly off until the last 6 months I'd say)....now he's over there most weekends. They are going on holiday in a few months and are forever having days outs etc like a "proper" family.

Now, call me a cow, maybe I am, but I'm feeling a little bit peeved that she seems to be living the best of both worlds here, and I'm wondering how on earth this can be allowed. What are the ACTUAL rules for having a boyfriend when you're on Income Support?? It seems that until he moves in, she isn't actually classed as in a relationship, so is managing to get away with stuff that I personally think is pushing the system!!

Any info would be much appreciated

the poor girl can have a life !!!! as long as he is not contributing to the bills and household finance. Anyway, how do you know that she hasnt declared it to the income support people??? If he is only staying over once or twice and it is all above board i.e declared to the income support people, then what is the problem??

happy_lass · 5 June 2011 at 9:38PM

freckles30 wrote: »

Hopefully someone here can point me in the right direction to an official link detailing the boyfriend "rules" when it comes to Income Support.

Basically, someone I know is on Income Support & Tax Credits (she doesn't work). She has children and has been seeing someone on and off for about 2 years (mostly off until the last 6 months I'd say)....now he's over there most weekends. They are going on holiday in a few months and are forever having days outs etc like a "proper" family.

Now, call me a cow, maybe I am, but I'm feeling a little bit peeved that she seems to be living the best of both worlds here, and I'm wondering how on earth this can be allowed. What are the ACTUAL rules for having a boyfriend when you're on Income Support?? It seems that until he moves in, she isn't actually classed as in a relationship, so is managing to get away with stuff that I personally think is pushing the system!!

Any info would be much appreciated

do you know if she is claiming tax credits as a single person but her boyfriend is living there? cos if she is then yes that is wrong. But do you really know what is going on in her private life????

System · 5 June 2011 at 9:41PM

Jinx wrote: »

I think a partner is allowed to stay over 2 nights a week but I dont think there are limits on the time they spend together.... Im sure someone more knowledge will have a link....

The 2 night rule is a myth it doesn't exist.

They'd look at where he's spending most his time, where he pays bills, if they act like a couple etc

sunnyone · 5 June 2011 at 9:42PM

Jinx wrote: »

I think a partner is allowed to stay over 2 nights a week but I dont think there are limits on the time they spend together.... Im sure someone more knowledge will have a link....

Thats an urban myth, ther has never, ever been a two or three night rule.

londonirish_3 · 5 June 2011 at 9:43PM

I think jealousy is your motive here, if you are sure she is claiming is and the partner is living there then report her, but to me it seems you are jealous of her, your post comes across as if you are jealous. Lots of people I know are doing this, but I really dont care, I have enoug in my own life to worry about rather than whether some mate is getting a good seeing to and a few days out from her oh.

Jinx · 5 June 2011 at 9:47PM

Happy to be corrected

freckles30 · 5 June 2011 at 10:16PM

londonirish wrote: »

I think jealousy is your motive here, if you are sure she is claiming is and the partner is living there then report her, but to me it seems you are jealous of her, your post comes across as if you are jealous. Lots of people I know are doing this, but I really dont care, I have enoug in my own life to worry about rather than whether some mate is getting a good seeing to and a few days out from her oh.

I have no motive. I am genuinely curious as to how the government defines "single". If you know lots of people who are doing it, then it's obviously the "norm"....perhaps I'm wrong for thinking that people shouldn't scam the systems that are put in place to help.

I'd be lying if there's not a part of me that wishes I could stay home all day and get grants, interest free loans, and money to eat and have a house given to me for free! BUT, I'm not jealous. My kids are learning that money comes from working, not handouts - that is worth more to me.

Anyway, I suppose I have the answers - unless he's contributing to bills there and "living" there....which he's not, as he has his own place, then they are not doing anything "wrong".

londonirish_3 · 5 June 2011 at 10:22PM

I stay at home with "my" 4 children, I do not go out to work a 9 to 5 job, I have my partner round some evenings etc, when I moved to my new home, my neighbours assumed I was a single parent dossing and living it up. Infact I am a childminder, my children arrive at 6.30 am( way before he bothered to get up) I do not claim any jobcentre benefits as I am not entitled to them, what I am trying to say is never assume, unless you REALLY know if/what benefits she is on I would keep out of it. I also went on holiday to egypt and this caused the old git next door to cackle!!! only when I said I was a childminder earning £xxx did he start to be polite to me.

freckles30 · 5 June 2011 at 10:26PM

londonirish wrote: »

I stay at home with "my" 4 children, I do not go out to work a 9 to 5 job, I have my partner round some evenings etc, when I moved to my new home, my neighbours assumed I was a single parent dossing and living it up. Infact I am a childminder, my children arrive at 6.30 am( way before he bothered to get up) I do not claim any jobcentre benefits as I am not entitled to them, what I am trying to say is never assume, unless you REALLY know if/what benefits she is on I would keep out of it. I also went on holiday to egypt and this caused the old git next door to cackle!!! only when I said I was a childminder earning £xxx did he start to be polite to me.

I had to giggle at the old git cackling! I am not a nosey neighbour, I know 100% what she is claiming, she is not shy about telling us. We are related, more's the pity at times.

Income Support & Boyfriend

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