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

[Labradorlover987]

My friend has just been asked to attend a compliance interview at the job centre - she claims universal credit as a single mother to 2 kids, and single person council tax discount she has a boyfriend but they don’t live together full time - he lives with his father - he obviously stays over 3/4 nights a week.

Just wondered what the process was etc

If he’s doing cash in hand and not paying tax appropriately he might be in trouble if the scrutiny falls on him.

Surely she wouldn’t have a relationship with a tax-dodger when she depends on people paying tax for part of her income.

But if they are spending half the week together and sharing some finances (as in OP case) imho the single benefits should stop. Because that money is desperately needed elsewhere.

But as a pp pointed out, if he’s staying over half the week and NOT contributing financially, then she is supporting him (hot water, electricity, internet, food etc aren’t cheap) so obviously doesn’t need the benefits she is getting! Why should taxpayers money be housing and feeding her recent boyfriend?! And as for her poor kids…

Sorry to state the obvious but then why not get married ?

Or, 3. He pays for himself and she’s no better or worse off as a result.

It's not so much punishing her as much as not allowing men to have all the comforts of married life without any of the responsibilities. Why should the state pay so that the boyfriend can have a warm bed ?

How is the state paying for a warm bed ? If he pays his own way how is that impacting anyone ? The DWP are looking to see if they can be classed as living together as a couple - sharing finances, bills, etc. They have no interest in any other aspect of the relationship.

My friend works full time and claims UC top up. Her BF stays once, sometimes twice a week and brings a take away. They go out for a meal or to the cinema once or twice a month. Should she she declare that to DWP ? Are people on benefits not allowed any kind of a life ?

Then they are clearly not living together are they ? He is coming to her home as a guest. Habitually eating their evening meal together and spending 3/4 nights a week in the house is different.

I think they need evidence of both that he is not contributing to the house hold but also as a working adult he is contributing elsewhere.

Benefits are DWP and tax HMRC, and while in theory they share information, like so much else it doesn't work properly

The only thing I'd add is that if the claimant's hoping OP will go along to "speak up for her" she'd better think again
That's not her role, and while OP can perfectly well take notes to avoid later confusion I expect DWP will only want to hear from the friend

Everyone has compliance interviews. Did they specifically say they were investigating anything?

Yes, that they had information she was living with someone

This was my thought - it could open a whole can of worms if they look into them both and find out that hes working cash in hand.
Seems like they both might be playing the system!

You are not meant to be on benefits for life! If a couple seriously spend time getting to know each other then the point must come when you consider sharing households, the costs of it and the cost savings from two living as cheaply as one. And over time then surely you would also hope to increase earning power? Kids grow up and don’t need childcare 24/7, people get promotions. You don’t just stay stuck on benefits for years. Likewise if you get a boyfriend and it’s serious then eventually you DO move in together.

Sorry, OP, but it sounds like a complete lack of judgement all round

I agree - I want to be a supportive friend but I am worried about attending the compliance interview, I don’t want to be implicated in anything

I understand your concern, Labradorlover987, but though this isn't my field I doubt they'd allow you to get too involved with answering their questions

Your friend may expect you to though, and you may even get "You need to say this" beforehand and "You didn't support me" afterwards, all of which is why making it clear you're "just there to take notes" might be a better approach

Yes I agree - I don’t know their exact situation and wouldn’t be comfortable being relied upon to give information as I don’t know their exact situation exact circumstances anyway

My ex's sister was prosecuted, I don't know the ins and outs because her and I didn't have a great relationship, but I know they were being investigated for a while because there was a lot of evidence gathered! They did the whole 'but he only stays 3 nights a week!', thinking that would be ok, but they decided her claim was fraudulent, her benefits were stopped, and she had to pay back a couple of years worth of money. The boyfriend refused to help and ended the relationship, he got to walk away scot free! Last I heard her grandad was helping her financially because she was in such a mess.

Wow, that’s scary! Their relationship is only about it 7 months old and think they have been living together for 3 maybe x

So they are living together then?

I’m not sure tbh - I think the nights over started around that time but I don’t know whether it’s full time/most of the time or just occasionally

If she was the one claiming the benefits I'm not sure why the boyfriend wouldn't walk away scot free?
I realise she'd probably claim that the money was spent on him too, but it would still have been up to her to notify any changes of circumstance to DWP

Oh yes, definitely. I think she was furious that it was all on her, but like you say, she was the one committing fraud.

so they are living together???