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Moving in with a friend & effects on benefits
- Jul
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4 years 2 months ago #255433 by Jul
Moving in with a friend & effects on benefits was created by Jul
Hi,
This is complicated so any advice appreciated.
I am a single woman living alone in Scotland in social housing. I receive enhanced PIP Daily Living and Mobility, income related ESA with Disability Premium and Severe Disability Premium with full housing benefit and council tax benefit. I have ongoing mental and physical health issues. I want to move into my male friend’s house in England strictly as a friend with my own bedroom. He owns his house and the mortgage will be paid within the year. He has contributions based ESA and enhanced PIP for daily living and mobility. We are both in the Support Group. My friend will reach retirement age in three years but it will be nine years before I reach retirement age.
Will the DWP accept we are not a romantic couple but strictly best friends? Will my move trigger a change of circumstances resulting in either or both of us having to claim Universal Credit? Will I lose my legacy benefits? Will we both have to be reassessed for all benefits?
I’ve read so much but can’t find answers to what seems a very complex situation (though it shouldn’t be!).
Thanks in advance
This is complicated so any advice appreciated.
I am a single woman living alone in Scotland in social housing. I receive enhanced PIP Daily Living and Mobility, income related ESA with Disability Premium and Severe Disability Premium with full housing benefit and council tax benefit. I have ongoing mental and physical health issues. I want to move into my male friend’s house in England strictly as a friend with my own bedroom. He owns his house and the mortgage will be paid within the year. He has contributions based ESA and enhanced PIP for daily living and mobility. We are both in the Support Group. My friend will reach retirement age in three years but it will be nine years before I reach retirement age.
Will the DWP accept we are not a romantic couple but strictly best friends? Will my move trigger a change of circumstances resulting in either or both of us having to claim Universal Credit? Will I lose my legacy benefits? Will we both have to be reassessed for all benefits?
I’ve read so much but can’t find answers to what seems a very complex situation (though it shouldn’t be!).
Thanks in advance
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- Gary
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4 years 2 months ago #255435 by Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
Replied by Gary on topic Moving in with a friend & effects on benefits
Hi Jul
The main problem you have that I can see is that you are in receipt of IR ESA. IR ESA is a means tested benefit and therefore the DWP will take all household income into consideration, your PIP claims will not be affected nor will your friends CB ESA.
This situation has always been controversial and it is hard proving that you are not in a relationship even if it is a platonic relationship. Some of the questions you may be asked is, do you cook seperate meals or wash clothing separately?
I have over the past helped couples to claim benefits who have split up but live under the same roof as they financially cannot aford to move, it has been hard proving they were no longer a couple.
The web site advicenow has a very good survival guide, it is called 'A survival guide to Benefits and Living Together' the guide may give you some pointers. Let us know how you get on.
www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/survival-gui...-and-living-together
Gary
The main problem you have that I can see is that you are in receipt of IR ESA. IR ESA is a means tested benefit and therefore the DWP will take all household income into consideration, your PIP claims will not be affected nor will your friends CB ESA.
This situation has always been controversial and it is hard proving that you are not in a relationship even if it is a platonic relationship. Some of the questions you may be asked is, do you cook seperate meals or wash clothing separately?
I have over the past helped couples to claim benefits who have split up but live under the same roof as they financially cannot aford to move, it has been hard proving they were no longer a couple.
The web site advicenow has a very good survival guide, it is called 'A survival guide to Benefits and Living Together' the guide may give you some pointers. Let us know how you get on.
www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/survival-gui...-and-living-together
Gary
Nothing on this board constitutes legal advice - always consult a professional about specific problems
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- Jul
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4 years 2 months ago #255446 by Jul
Replied by Jul on topic Moving in with a friend & effects on benefits
Thanks, Gary. I’ll delve into that tomorrow and report back with any info that may help others.
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