Claiming when separated but in same house.

[angelface74]

Hi

As the title says has anyone been able to claim benefits while still living in the same house but separated? We separated 3 months ago, he stays out a lot, doesn't eat here and does his own washing. I'm in the process of trying to buy a house but this won't be ready until December.

TIA.

It is possible but I imagine you might have a bit of a job on your hands trying to prove it by proving everything was financially separate, bills split, no meal sharing etc.

Are you married? I filed for divorce and applied for benefits from that date.
No joint account but had a mortgage.

Yes we are married, neither of us has applied for divorce yet. He's hardly ever here but does still pay the rent. That's all he pays for.

The question of whether the benefit agency will accept you are seperated depends pretty much on whether you are. So the rest is just a matter of evidence. Stuff like do you cook for him, do his laundry, have sex, socialise together, eat together, are the finances separate etc. From the little info in your post, it won't be a problem providing your income is below the threshold.

If you definitely know that you'll be moving out in December or so and taking steps towards it and can evidence it you'll be fine.

If there is a chance you could still work things out and stay married it might be safer to wait to see what happens especially if he is still paying for the rent.

You can claim as being estranged under the same roof. You will probably have a visit from a DWP officer to check the living arrangements .

Have you got children together? If you are still living together then just continue your old financial arrangements? This is what I did while ex was still 'living' with us. You may not be together properly but you are still financially connected if you have children together

We do absolutely zero together, not even speak. I pay everything apart from the rent. I think maybe it's worth a phone call to see if I can claim.

Inform the benefit office and you will get a visit to check your living arrangements. It is quite strict though.

''Quite Strict''??.... I should hope it's ridiculously strict given how open to abuse it could be.

It is not so strict to make the claim. It is however if 6 or 12 months down the line, the situation has not changes even more if someone was to report the person. They can then decide the couple never intended to separate and demand the full benefit to be repaid at best at worse also deciding to prosecute.

After all who really wants to live with a husband on-goingly when the marriage is over?

I don't mind how strict they are. I also have the documents of my new mortgage, just waiting for the house to be ready.