A little bit help and info please

[karenr31]

Hello,

 

can anyone advise please, my daughter is seperated from her partner and has recently got herself a private rent, the seperation is amicable as they have a son, she is claiming benefits for the first time as had always worked before her son was born.

 

 

she is claiming housing benefit and has just had her first payment.

she recd a letter to attend an interview at the jobcentre and she thought it was standard practice.

 

 

she was asked if her circumstances had changed, if she was still permanently separated from her partner and if he spent time with the child.

she told the truth, he sees him regularly and has him weekends and more when he is on holiday.

 

 

she advised that they are permanently separated and was asked if she had any questions before being asked to sign a declarartion.

 

 

Question , was this an investigation? she is worried sick that she is in trouble.

she takes her son to his house and they are getting on well and maybe there is a chance they may even get back together. she has told me that she has stayed over a couple of times but has no intention of moving back at the moment as they get on better apart.he has not stayed at her house

 

 

Is she allowed to do this? she doesnt think she has done anything wrong as she isnt living with him and they are just trying to be good parents and over time maybe things will work out. any advise would be greatly appreciated

Edited September 18, 2012 by citizenB

[id6052]

did she tell them the jobcentre that she had stayed over a couple of times?

[karenr31]

no and they didnt ask her it was me who said it may be relevant.

[id6052]

if they are permanently separated, i would suggest that it probably is more sensible not to stop over, as this could give the impression that they are still in a relationship

 

if you browse this site, you will read about numerous people who have ended up in trouble over the occasional overnight stay

 

alternatively, she should be open and honest about it with the jobcentre/LA

[karenr31]

so are you not allowed to have an amicable separation and get on well and maybe even date when on benefits? she will not stay over again .

[id6052]

Of course you are allowed to have an amicable separation and get on well

 

However if you start dating each other again, you are starting to enter murky waters

 

There are a number of things that the DWP/LA considers when looking at 'living together' cases

 

The 6 signposts which are considered:-

1.Do they live in the same household?

2.Do they have a sexual relationship?

3.What are their financial arrangements?

4.Is their relationship stable?

5.Do they have children together?

6.Do they represent themselves as a couple in public?

 

You do not have to satisfy all 6 signposts, it is possible (though less common) to be found to be a couple on just 1

[karenr31]

Hello,

in answer to the last post.

They dont live in the same household

they are not in a sexual relationship

he pays her child maintenance monthly but nothing else

they have one child

the do not go out as a couple but sometimes go to park swimming with their child.

they do however have a good relationship now they are separated and get on well