Can I claim?

[chloexo]

Can someone give me any advice, I rent a house in both mine and my partners name and have done for 2 years but now he works away all week and is back on Friday night then away again on Monday. We simply just don't have enough money got rent/live with me not working whilst I look after our little one.

Can I claim as single? As he's only here at the weekend?

Thank you! X

 

[the why bird]

I am not certain, but I would think since the house is in both names they will insist it's a joint claim. As far as I know, you can have someone stay over twice a week and still claim as single , but if they require a copy of your rental agreement it might work against you.

Have you messed with the various benefits calculators and checked that you're not entitled to anything else now you have a baby?

 

[x Michelle x]

But you aren't single?

 

[special_kala]

You are not single so no you can't claim as if you are.

If you did you would be committing benefit fraud.

 

[chloexo]

Thank you, no I haven't but I'll have a go and see!

I know I'm aware that I'm not single but he doesn't live here? Only comes at the weekend and he's back again. We've looked at me going back to work and id be working for £13 a day after paying for child care it's crazy!

 

[chloexo]

Well this is why I'm asking as I obviously don't want to do that! I have just heard before that you can still have a partner, who can stay over 2 nights a week, and that's how I feel it is at the moment!

 

[special_kala]

60 a week is a lot of money.

He does live there he just works away. I'm sure military wives can't claim when their ohs are deployed.

You are a couple and I assume his money goes towards the house/ yours and babies upkeep so in the eyes of the law you are a couple and should claim as such.

 

[cocosianelle]

You might be able to claim something towards childcare? We looked into it but still earn too much with me going back part time. From memory I think it's called child tax credit? I'm not too sure maybe speak to citizens advice?

 

[chloexo]

Yeah £60 a week is but I'm not going to work 5 days a week 9-5, and not see my little boy. He's only 10 months old and I'm not willing to sacrifice that so will just have up carry on as is.

Yeah I might go and see what else there might be to help, I've never had to claim in my life it's hard work lol

 

[special_kala]

If you don't have enough to live on sometimes there isn't a choice

 

[kirstybumx3]

Where is his home where his bills go to? If that is also your home them no you can not claim regardless how often he is there, that's his home.
If he has his own home then yes you could as you are allowed someone to stay over 2 nights a week, but this would be a visitor. Therefore all of his belongings, bills, work etc would not be registered there.

Eta: you could not claim you are single! But you could get housing benefit if oh didn't live with you. But as you said, he does. Therefore no you can't even get housing benefit. This would be fraud.

 

[sue_88]

As you are both on the tenancy agreement, you live together.

No you can't claim as single to cheat the system as that's fraud

 

[Noo]

No, you are not single.

 

[Noodlebear]

At the moment my wages are pretty pathetic once childcare comes out of them but if it's money you need and don't have it'll make the difference. You're lucky that you're able to choose not to work, not everyone has that privilege.

 

[chloexo]

Oki doki thank you. I don't claim for anything at the moment so will look Into it.

 

[HPmum2B]

No you can't claim you are single. But why not go to the benefit office and see if there is any help available to you?

 

[Stacey_Ann]

To clarify, the whole "you can have someone to stay 2-3 nights a week" is not a rule, guidance or policy.

I gave a friend who is a fraud investigator for DWP and the amount of times they've heard this as a defence, it's not accepted.

If you are a couple, are financially interdependent, etc, etc then you cannot be classed as single or claim as such.

You can however see if you are able to receive any other assistance.

I work 30hrs p/w, pay £608 on average p/m for childcare and then have approx £300 left over (on a good month).
Not great and things are tight but we manage and it's still something extra that we wouldn't have if I wasn't working.

Xx

 

[HKateH]

Yeah £60 a week is but I'm not going to work 5 days a week 9-5, and not see my little boy. He's only 10 months old and I'm not willing to sacrifice that so will just have up carry on as is.

Yeah I might go and see what else there might be to help, I've never had to claim in my life it's hard work lol

I think all of us full time working mums feel this way. If you don't have enough to live on, you mightn't have a choice. If you can manage then I don't see what the problem is - I'm sure a lot if SAHM's make sacrifices in order to afford being able to stay at home?

 

[Noodlebear]

Yeah £60 a week is but I'm not going to work 5 days a week 9-5, and not see my little boy. He's only 10 months old and I'm not willing to sacrifice that so will just have up carry on as is.

Yeah I might go and see what else there might be to help, I've never had to claim in my life it's hard work lol

I think all of us full time working mums feel this way. If you don't have enough to live on, you mightn't have a choice. If you can manage then I don't see what the problem is - I'm sure a lot if SAHM's make sacrifices in order to afford being able to stay at home?

Agree If only we could all have our cake and eat it.

 

[kirstybumx3]

Yeah £60 a week is but I'm not going to work 5 days a week 9-5, and not see my little boy. He's only 10 months old and I'm not willing to sacrifice that so will just have up carry on as is.

Yeah I might go and see what else there might be to help, I've never had to claim in my life it's hard work lol

I think all of us full time working mums feel this way. If you don't have enough to live on, you mightn't have a choice. If you can manage then I don't see what the problem is - I'm sure a lot if SAHM's make sacrifices in order to afford being able to stay at home?

Agree If only we could all have our cake and eat it.

This also.