housing benefit and people staying over..

[missy1981]

im a single parent of one child.. am in receipt of housing benefit.. when i made my claim i was told that i wasnt allowed someone to stay over no more than 3 nights a week... well, today, i was told that that isnt the case anymore, and that people staying was no longer allowed... a lady in the area had been done for beneit fraud even though her boyfriend only used to stay with her one night a week...

i have a boyfriend who stays over 2 nights a week... am i a fraud?? really concerned about this ;(

[alijangra]

sorry I dont know but thats ridiculous!! Surely as long as the person staying over can prove they live elsewhere??? How exactly do they expect you to have a sex life? Thats a disgrace.

[missy1981]

yeah i know... its not exactly 'happening' in the sex department, purely for that reason, plus he works, his week job and then DJs at the weekends, i get tired cause of looking after my daughter, as he does cause of work, trying to run his place and see me and his friends & family... but we have always stuck to 2 nights a week even though its frustrating us both

[kazzianne]

Well I claimed housing benefits when I was a single mother,right up until last year and I was never ever told that - how ridiculous!!

[stoo_pid]

I don't think there is a specific rule stating how many nights a partner can or can't stay - you should find that your dept will have a set of guidelines to work to, the idea being to take other factors into account to determine whether your claim for housing benefit is genuine.

I would check with your benefits office. If you're worried you might inadvertently drop yourself in it by speaking to them, perhaps contact Shelter first for advice.

[sweaty_betty]

i'v had many boyfrends live with me over the years and HD was not botherd. like cash in hand jobs. what they don't now will not hert them, you now what i mean.

[THECORBYLOON]

The fact you have someone staying wi you on the odd night may not affect the Housing Benefit but if you receive Income Support as a Lone Parent and yir boyfriend stays, then you may be considered to be co-habiting and yir claim will stop or you will have to claim as a couple.

If in doubt, you MUST tell the Council if it is only Housing Benefit you receive or Social Security/Jobcentre Plus if you get Income Support too..