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!

If she isn’t working, she will get housing benefit, council tax benefit etc (I know it is UC know, just using the old terms). If he moves in the benefits will be assessed under his income and she could lose all of them, and he will be supporting her and the kids fully. I’m not saying I’m agreeing with them doing it, if he didn’t want to support them they shouldn’t have got married

Where does it say either of them are in social housing?

Is this really the type of thing people
waste their precious weekend worrying about because no one else would.

I am slightly puzzled as to how a teacher would only earn £1200 a month? Of course I agree there’s a need for a safety net and provision for the “underclass” - but what we see a lot of is benefits picking up the bill for failed relationships. How about the two adults involved or their families pick up those bills? I just think given there’s a crisis of funding here there needs to be a different threshold and a fundamental rethink of the system in place. And yes, sorry, but I do think there is an element of shame involved in not being able to support yourself, unless you are actually disabled. I would feel profoundly uneasy about that.

First and foremost an economy where employers pay proper wages so people don’t need benefits top-ups.

Is it pay or the fact that there are either no jobs or flexible jobs are less hours and therefore less pay.

I know on MN we are all self employed or WFH in fantastic careers. In the real world a supermarket, a nursery or care home needs a workforce too.

Found out about what?

I know, right?

Some people seem to think it’s illegal (or should be) for married couples to live separately!!!

Why are you on here if you have so many more productive things to be doing? Looking down on people posting on a message board whilst posting on a message board is rather ironic.

In my post... IF theyre in social housing

If you read the whole post....15 years ago. My starting salary was £21K

I think it’s really sensible for the couple to live apart, given that there are children from a previous relationship. There are so many posts on here where a step parent doesn’t fit into the family and it causes so many unhappinesses.

I always thought that the ideal would separate bedrooms and a joint bathroom. But separate houses would probably be really good.

Sorry....you think I should be ashamed as a teacher of a shortage area subject (think maths/physics/MFL) with a degree, a Masters and a PGCE to have claimed tax credits? Are you for fucking real?

It’s NOT you who should be ashamed of needing tax credits, @Usernamechanging. Your job should pay a living wage.

I was thinking the upheaval of blending two households might be too much for her SEN child, so it could well be that the couple are protecting the welfare of the children. Very thoughtful and very sensible.

But they are not doing anything illegal anyway.

Perhaps they just want the commitment.

How would you feel then if they had carried on with their relationship, but not got married? What is it about a marriage certificate that bothers you?

I have been with my partner for 22 years, but we don't live together. My two DC were in primary school when we first got together and his children were adults and didn't live with him. We both like our own space, so still live apart, even though my two DC now have their own homes. There is nothing to stop us getting married and continuing to live apart, but we can't see the point. I have no problem though with people in similar circumstances who do choose to get married. It's just personal preference.

That is incorrect. You definitely can claim benefits if you are married, but running two separate households. What makes you think otherwise?

I have posted the link the Gov site stating this, but it gets ignored because it just shows they are ranting about nothing. You can not claim together if you do not live in the same house.
The number one condition of a joint claim is living at the same address.

But you are assuming that's the reason. It could just be that she doesn't want any upheaval for the children by moving in another person.

That they’ve been claiming for things they shouldn’t have, and someone has grassed them up.

Yes, her eldest has SEN, so moving in someone could be a huge thing for them. Sometimes better to keep things how they are.

these guys have obviously been doing something wrong as I’ve had to deduct fines out of their salary and pay it back to the government and the local council!

But that's not the case in the couple the OPs talking about so why is it relevant

You could not even say what they had been reported for though.
They probably claimed to live apart but did not.
I have known two couples like that. One even got married and moved the DH in, but they never declared him moving in, so they got more money.