quick Q re housing benefit form

[janglebells2013]

im filling out a housing benefit form, as my husband and me have separated. it is asking if i have a partner, and i ticked yes - then it asks about all his details. i don't have all his details... like earnings etc.

should i just tick no, now that he has left? or should i just write all the information i know about him on it, and write a note to let them know he has left?

i just don't want it all coming back again if its wrong.

You dont have a partner if he lives elsewhere and you dont share finances.

Are you now single and living as such?

Yes, this is a complicated one.

If he still lives with you, you'll probably need to get an appointment at the benefits office, because they'll want his earnings if you are living as a couple.

If he's left and now lives elsewhere, then you live on your own, and you shouldn't tick partner.

yeah, im living as though im single although im not legally separated, he lives with his family now. i will have to do the form again. thats a relief though, not to have to find out all that information

no he has been out of the house for the last few months. thats great thats what i needed to know! thanks guys :) saved me ringing the benefits office!

If you have separated and are living separately tick no and explain the situation in the box for 'any other information' at the end of the form. Include the date you separated too.

If you have separated but still live in the same house you would probably do better to get CAB or other local advice service to help you fill in the form but it sounds as if you're in the first situation so it's pretty clearcut.

If you are nervous about this I'd suggest looking at the online benefits checker on the gov.uk website. One of the things it offers you is some definitions of things like this as you go along, seeing it on an official website might be reassuring.

I've got some experience supporting people with form filling and getting advice for them but should stress I'm not a professional.

Best of luck with it

thats great thank you very much! it takes to have some people who know the ins and outs of these things. its a pain having to find all the info but you can understand why they need it. x