Tax credits and boyfriends

[Lagirafe]

Are we a couple?

First met in Jan 16

Boyfriend has his own flat (mortgaged) and life / job / friends etc in the next town (40 mins away).

I have my own (rented) house here with job / friends / kids schools etc.

We socialise together and also separately.

I usually see him Sat/Sun and he sleeps over Sat night. If he's got weekend plans I will prob see him midweek instead.

We have been on 2 weekends away. I have been away on my own with the kids once this year too.

We are completely financially separate and usually go 50:50 if we go out for a meal. No shared bills, he used his own address for everything.

I do everything for the kids myself he has no role in that way e.g.
Kids school would not know him from Adam.

I have no desire to move in with him as I was married for 10 years to an abusive man and vowed to never put myself in that position ever again. I would never get married again. I want to raise my children alone (again due to being controlled by ex in the past).

Do I have to move in with him as I claim tax credits?
I would rather just end our relationship to be honest as I now only put myself and my children first. That probably makes me a cow though! Not that I don't love him - I do but I have been there / done that and my priority is my kids and he's last in line. I do not want to be committing an offence and the rules are so "grey"!

No you're not a couple according to tax credits as your finances are entirely separate

If he sold his house and sofa surfed without an address but was seen at your house all the time there would start to be a problem

You are in a relationship but not an official financial-couple. You are financially independent from him, and can keep it like that as long as it suits you!

It won't matter as long as you both have separate addresses and don't have any financial links. I've been with my boyfriend for ten years but am still regarded as a single mum as we both own our own houses and are registered for all bills and council tax at our own places. Who pays for dinner and dates is irrelevant - DP always pays when we go out.

You only become a couple for benefit purposes when you spend more than 2 nights a week together.

Thanks everyone maybe I worry too much.

FruitCider I don't think there is a fixed number of nights it's such a grey area.

You're not a couple in HMRC's eyes.

You are right as in other things are taken into consideration as well, but that would be their starting point. Of course if your partner was at your house or vice verca every waking moment that would be of interest to them too.