To ask whether anyone here has ever been investigated by DWP for “living with a partner”?

'Your friend'/you need to declare the partner, and only claim benefits if eligible based on joint income.

On the face of it this seems like clear fraud: using another address just for the purpose of claiming benefits.

@Crikeyalmightyubfortunately many benefits cheats will vote reform too to get rid of « immigrants ». I have absolutely no issue with anyone coming into the UK to be productive whether they are brain surgeons or restaurant workers. But it’s so depressing to see people cheating the system when we work so hard, yes our life is fuller and I am sure also way more luxurious than theirs as I work in a professional job but I WORK 60 hours a week. And yes I’m lucky I have 3 passports so I’ll just move to a country that attracts wealthy retirees with super low taxes, I’m sorry for that but I truly have given too much money to HMRC and soon will be the time to keep MY money

@Iamfree nothing like voting Reform and leaving people here stuck with that arse whilst you leave the UK - could you tell me too why you think ‘you hate benefit cheats so will vote Reform’ plenty of those who vote that way are exactly the ones who are happy to cheat the system ( at all ends of the income spectrum) be it benefits or indeed HMRC . They aren’t all some kind of homogenous doff your cap hard working saints -

@Blondeshavemorefun she did keep cleaning then I don’t know what happened - cleaners come and go as you know

@Rumbletumbleyi paid her via revolut, I don’t really use cash - ever. I have a partner who pays so so much taxes that it’s crazy. We’re leaving the UK in 5 years and can’t wait. But we do everything by the book, I have a chronic illness but work full time (my job is not physical). No time off in the past 20 years, not even one day. So yes I despise benefit cheats and I will vote reform despite being « educated »

Wow stab your cleaner in the back

did she carry on cleaning for you while living with her rich bf

Just imagine the response from the DWP

@Iamfree ringing up and saying her cleaner has said “if” she moves in with boyfriend, she would not update DWP.

Tumbleweed
maybe a giggle

although sadly they’re probably used to daft callers like this

how did you pay your cleaner @Iamfree ?

Do you live alone? Partner? Children? Have friends?

You reported someone for a completely hypothetical situation?

I imagine the role of friend would be to sit there and not get involved.

Presuming that this “friend” is indeed the OP.

oh dear

I have, as partners ex maliciously reported us.
He did stay at mine sometimes. I just took bank statements and copies of his bills, car insurance proving his main residence was elsewhere.
I was really stressed about considering all the scaremongering, but they were lovely and agreed it was malicious.

I am so sorry to hear that 💐

They are much better qualified and trained to be hiding in bushes!

More to the point for the OP is that for her friend it might be too late, investigators may have already watched her/BF’s home and have evidence of comings and goings to add to bills, voting, etc etc.

Yes if he lives with his dad he’ll have his driving licence, doctors, electoral register at that address even if he doesn’t have bills in his name. But he’d still have a mobile phone bill there. Also the dad should be paying full council tax which will be good proof.

The people I know who were caught lying about someone living with them were caught due to stuff they put on social media but there was other evidence too.
You are right though. DWP dont have the time or resources to monitor everyone who claims benefits and it would be horrid if they did. Benefit claimants should be able to do normal things without it all being scrutinised and judged.

Please don’t worry, some people on here seem to be aghast that anyone on benefits dares to have a partner who sets foot in their house as it’s fraud but it’s not facts. The dwp are interested in who lives at your house and who pays for what so as long as you can prove you pay all your own bills and he has proof of residency and bills at another address you are fine.

I really don’t think the dwp are watching everyone unless they have a reason to. Maybe they do random checks here and there but they would do surveillance usually after someone has made a report. More likely they are looking at social media rather than hiding in a bush outside your house.

Thank you. The other poster who said he cant stay even 1 night a week and is not allowed to watch TV in my house has really shook me up.

No one has posted a link to say either way anyway. When I applied for benefits I was only asked if anyone lived with me and not if I had a partner or not.

You don’t need to declare this. You have separate homes and pay your own bills. They are interested in people who live together or whose finances are joint not people with a partner who they see a few times a week.

OP? This friend… is it you? Because you and her seem to have remarkably similar circumstances. And you have been seeing your partner for 7 months too, which you say the friend has been as well.

We did plan to but my partner became unwell and died.

Yes but if you are on benefits then you could end up with nothing at all. Basically you cant live with someone unless you are to be 100% financially dependent on them and if you are a vulnerable person then that can be a dangerous position to be in.
Of course some couples can still claim benefits dependant on their incomings anyway. For me, I would lose every penny and have to be totally reliant on my boyfriend. He is not entitled to anything.