Couples who live separately so they get additional financial support

[slimline]

A couple I know got married over a year ago, yet they still live separately. She has two children from a previous relationship and lives in a 3 bed house. He lives in a 2 bed house and has no children. I mention the size of their homes because it’s clear that there is ample space for the entire family to live under one roof. I can’t think of any other reason for their separate living arrangements (considering they have made a commitment to each other through marriage) aside from financial security, as her eldest child has SEN and she doesn’t work. He is working, which I assume could complicate things if he were to move in. Yes, I understand it’s legal, but I can’t help but think they’re taking advantage of the system in some way. This isn't the first time I've heard of couples or families living apart in order to increase their income. I’m ready to be accused of benefit bashing or called all the names under the sun. Don’t care sorry!

But in that case they are both the childrens' parents. That's not the case here.

You are really clutching at straws now,

Oh so this thread IS about benefits? How terribly post-modern of you to subvert the narrative in such an neo-infantile way.

I don’t have a choice last time I checked. Tax man just takes it.

It’s embarrassing.

All the lolz coming out now. Probably about 13?

lol I don’t really care

in some cases yep it’s absolutely better off on benefits than working
It’s always been that way

but why is that my problem

32 actually

How do you make people live together?

Your IQ is as high as that?

Lol

Care to respond to me OP? That their decision may be entirely unrelated to finances?

hahahahaha

Love your username btw, suits you xx

Of course she doesn't its a benefit bashing thread and nothing else

I acknowledge that some people may do this for non financial reasons. However, this particular family does not seem to fall into that category. The question is: would they still do this if benefits weren’t an option?

She's putting her child with SEN first by not making a big change to the way they live. I think this is a good thing.

I’ve just answered that poster actually. I don’t care if it’s benefit bashing. You do get that right? It’s not an insult to me 😂. I think we should challenge people who abuse the system. I think more people should discuss it, otherwise it will just continue.

Yeah, it’s the same narrative as the stupid Reform leaflets that get shoved through door every bloody day at the moment.

I knew that would make you finally answer you're not the sharpest pencil in the box

He/she’s not even IN the box.

🤣🤣🤣

I think that we all know that some people are committing fraud and some are working the system but there are a great many more who aren’t, who are doing their best and getting support because they need it.
The underlying premise of our judicial system and more broadly our society is innocent until proved guilty. I am sick at heart to the changes over the last 20 years in the benefit system which words everything as if it is assumed that you are committing fraud. I am equally disturbed by the attitude that has developed and which you seem to have that your first assumption is that people are on the fiddle. It means that it has become normalised to regard benefit claimants as a sub class who we can pass judgement on from some imaginary moral high ground.
You do not know the full circumstances of this case, she will go on having an entitlement to benefits, or rather her child will. If she has found work impossible with the care demands she will get carers allowance. She may be getting some of her money not from benefits but from an ex. She may be prioritising her children and not moving her new husband in yet.You don’t know. We have a benefit system with checks and balances which has the task of deciding who fits the incredibly complicated benefit rules and who doesn’t. I don’t envy them the task but they do attempt to look after the benefit pot.

On what basis do they not appear to fall into that category? They live separately for a start? How do you know that this isn’t a decision taken in the children’s best interests or because the husband doesn’t want to raise someone else’s kids?

But you said it’s legal, so if they aren’t doing anything wrong what exactly are you going to say?