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!

Hobby?

Mm. Now who's potentially going to waste tax payer's money? No actual real idea of all their personal circumstances (unless you have both homes fitted illegally with a full CCTV surveillance system....🤔) but still happy to report them.

My mum and her fiance live in different cities. They each dislike the city where the other one lives. They're about 4 hours apart and will move in together in 2 years once one of the children has finished at her current school. They are doing nothing immoral etc. My mum works 40 hours a week, rents and receives a UC top up. Her employer not paying her a good wage and rent being high in our city has nothing to do with her partner and is not his responsibility at all. He has two adult children and owns his own home. He's had a much better life than my mum and she's completely independent.

I'm reporting this one. You have no right to allude that all parents of disabled children 'take the piss' . I see the true heartache of child disability in my job.

Who is saying what they are doing is immoral? They aren’t married, those aren’t his kids, he could live the other side of the world for all I care. Those two scenarios are not them same as the OP described in her opening post.

We have mothers and fathers of kids living in separate houses whilst still in a relationship to maximise benefits, and we have married people living in separate houses whilst still in a relationship to maximise benefits. Of course that’s not happening in all cases, but it is happening in some cases and to act like it’s not to get more money is faux ignorance.

I think people who report someone for what they think is benefit fraud when it isn't, should get fined.

In the same way that people who report a crime and the defendant is charged, and found innocent, should get fined?

To make a joint claim for UC, the couple HAVE TO BE LIVING IN THE SAME HOUSE.

Women who falsify rape accusations do get charged.

People who make malicious benefit fraud reports should be charged for wasting time, and for it being malicious.

You remind me a little of the person who screamed abuse at one of my clients a couple of months ago for using a blue parking badge. The badge was awarded due to terminal cancer but the outraged know it all - who actually knew nothing - still jumped up on their high horse, in public, because they 'knew' the person shouldn't be using it. You never know as much as you think you do unless you live with and know every detail of someone's circumstances.

Maybe a compromise ?

Anonymous reports get binned, and reports with a name are not subject to sanction ?

and there are some right cunts around anyway ....

Yes, I would agree with that. If you are so certain, then at least put your name to it.

You sound like a petulant child. I bet you've been waiting your whole life to make such a bizarre bold statement 😅

Do you think a hobby takes all day? You don't sound very bright!

And if not, why should anyone spend a penny looking into it ?

Maybe they do that anyway ? How would we know ?

Bright enough to know when someone is being pointlessly rude.

Ive been engaged to my finance for 2 years, together for 8 we don't live with each other. Both work claim no benefits. We're waiting until my children (21 and 26) leave home for him to move in. What's the big deal?

THAT IS NOT THE POINT THAT IS BEING MADE.

Noone is talking about joint claims. It’s split finances that are being discussed.

No, they are saying that the couple should be living together and making a joint claim, and by not doing so they are somehow committing fraud.
Of course finances are split... they are not living together.
I claim UC and do not live with my DP. Our finances are totally seperate.

There is literally no big deal. What are you doing wrong or what are you thinking you are doing wrong?

The debate was about couples living separately with split finances.

Scenario one would be two unmarried people with shared children living in separate houses, but in a relationship. The woman can claim maximum benefits in that scenario, and the man can pass the children’s financial care over to the state. She still has his support in time, person and income but it sits outside of her claim. He gets to keep all his money if he’s working.

Scenario two is two people who decide to get married, but won’t live together and pool finances. Again the woman has a solo UC claim and the state finances the children. The man is able to keep his finances separate whilst still being in a relationship with the woman and once those kids are grown and the UC element is no longer the driver the two move in together.

But on a wider scale it's kind of everyone's business..
If they're using social housing stock..
As they're depriving towns of more accommodation.

Younger people are leaving our aged town in droves as there is literally no chance of them getting social housing

So glad you reported that post. I did actually report this thread because I thought it would draw out the haters. I have two SEN kids, one with considerable MH issues which means she - as an adult- is eligible for PIP.

However, we are fortunate enough to be loaded (or, rather, DH is). We have been able as a couple to get private support, assessments and medications - fast tracking the system all the way. I was able to decide not to return to work as planned when our children started school. I resented it a bit at the time, but being here to support my kids has been a privilege.

I cannot begin to imagine how fucking hard it is for parents (especially single parents) with disabled/ND children who cannot access that support, face the years long waiting lists, or are unable to work due to their DC’s needs. THEY are the parents UC and PIP etc is intended to support. They deserve every penny.

Convert empty shops, and close down the money laundering ones and re-purpose.
Reduce or end second homes.
End short-term lets such as Air BnB.
Make the process of moving house much easier.

All will increase the number of homes available.

People can be in a relationship without living under the same roof, for one of many good reasons.