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!

You’re the one that said I’m jealous and want him 😂. I’m not remotely attracted to him so there we go 🤷🏼‍♀️

A couple living apart are not on the fiddle.
The DWP only care about people who live together. Yes, some people do fiddle that system (say they are living apart when they are not), but you are aiming your anger at the wrong people here.

I think what has changed with benefits are two things. One, they are not all called benefits anymore. But credits etc.
The second is that so many people, working, middle class claim for things. Things that in the past nobody even would have considered money could be available for. eg. looking after your grandchildren.
And there is a view of everyone else is doing it so I will.

My bugbear is that it impacts on those who do need support. The more that people who do not entirely need to claim and expect the state to support them, largely or small, are undermining those who do need it. Because sooner or later it will become unsustainable and benefits reduced or removed.

Do you know that either of is claiming benefit that would be affected?

So it must be her that you’re jealous of then.

For most people this wouldn’t consume their thoughts so much that they had to make a thread about it.

Comparison is the thief of joy.
They are happy and are not doing anything illegal.

What is there to understand?

It is ALL of our business if we pay tax. It’s what’s called ‘a loophole’. Those things are always helpful if they are closed.

Yes I’m really jealous of all the money she gets for free whilst I slog my guts out every week. There ya go

How would you propose this "loophole" is closed? When do you tell the DWP about a new relationship? After the first date?

One other thing that has changed is the ‘gateway benefit’. Get that and you automatically obtain quite a lot of access to reduced costs for many things.

I cannot help think that it is time for a review of this. And to see how many gateways benefits are granted each year would be interesting.

Friend of mine did this her husband had ocd and her son had ADHD it was unmanageable for an extended period of time as the child grew and got medicated her husband got treated it eventually got to a stage where they could live together

You dont know what goes on behind closed doors

I pay tax and I have absolutely know issue it going to someone with a severely disabled child. The costs that come with disability are significant. I get pip but it absolutely does not cover the cost of my disability.

It’s probably because of the kids that they live separately. It’s not going to be financially advantageous for them to run two households. I’d leave them to it and butt out. They actually do live apart, they aren’t lying to anyone and marriage doesn’t mean you have to cohabit and hasn’t for some time.

You would rather your children be severely disabled

Sounds like she’s putting her children first, most children wouldn’t choose to have their mum’s new husband come and live in the house and often there end up being awful tensions between the unrelated step parent and the children, particularly in the teen years. One of her children has SEND so the disruption to routine would probably be even more detrimental, but I don’t think moving an unrelated partner into the home is ever really in the best interest of the children. Very rare to see a mother putting the needs of her children ahead of her own wants and desires, but I think this should be respected, not judged.

UC, housing benefit, council tax, to name a few. Yes I’m aware DLA won’t be affected but others will. She doesn’t work. How do you think she pays all her bills lol???

Of course you can. And you are correct its not fair. But its benefits britain and most will cheat the system if they can.

Her child will still be disabled even if her husband moves in.

With Universal credit it doesn’t matter if your married only if you live together

so if she has kids with SEN needs she would lose possibly a huge amount of money

she isn’t doing anything wrong legally and won’t get into trouble with the DWP
as long as he never registers anything at her address and he keeps his own address

it’s perfectly legal

It won’t be loads, I promise. She’d be better off if her DH moved in and contributed his wage yet she still chooses not to which tells you that it’s for good reasons.

Jeez I can understand being pissed off if a couple is actually living together but lying about it but here they actually are living apart. What’s the problem? Should I be pissed off that two of my neighbours are single when they could be a couple and live together or could house share as friends. It’s none of your business and I can’t see the DWP being interested as they don’t actually cohabit.

Legal, yes, morally …

I’m sure she’d prefer to work than have a disabled child.

How miserable must your life be that you’d rather your kids were disabled just so you don’t have to work!

I actually hope you don’t have kids with that attitude.

Surely it's their business not yours.
There could be many reason why they don't live together.
Perhaps he can't cope living with the children all the time. Perhaps the children can't cope with him being around all the time. Perhaps he can't or doesn't want to support her children. So they are waiting until they grow up before living together.
Perhaps they just both like their own space.
Whatever the reason they aren't hurting anyone

OP, you sound like a deeply unpleasant woman.

It would cost the government significantly more if she worked and they provided full time care for the child. They need parents to care for their severely disabled children it saves money