Benefit risk? — Scope | Disability forum
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Benefit risk?

ETR66
ETR66 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
Hi, I am on Pip, standard care and enhanced mobility. I have a partner who is currently unemployed. He lives in his own motorhome, but not on a site. He claims carers allowance for looking after me and stays over a few nights. What I'm seriously worried about is, will I be penalised by the DWP for him staying. I am on my pension and receive pension credit. 
I have really bad nights, asthma attacks, coughing and joint pains,and have had a few falls trying to go downstairs.
He does have some clothes at mine because there isn't a lot of room in his motorhome and because he doesn't have an address he uses mine as C/O. 
I worry so much about it that it makes me ill. 
Please could you let me know if I'm doing the right thing or if there is anything I should change. 

Thank you. 

Comments

  • Cartini
    Cartini Community member Posts: 1,108 Pioneering
    Hi - I can`t answer your question, so I`ve replied to move your post up the queue.
  • calcotti
    calcotti Community member Posts: 10,011 Disability Gamechanger
    edited January 8
    PIP is unaffected by your living arrangements.

    Your State Pension is unaffected by your living arrangements,

    Your Pension Credit would be affected if you were living together as a couple (indeed if he is below pension age and you became a couple you would lose the Pension Credit).

    If you claim Housing Benefit that too would also be lost ifyou were a couple and he is below pension age.

    However, having someone stay a few nights does not constitute living together as a couple, Nonetheless the fact that he is using your address and that he has no other fixed home could raise a problem if DWP were to make enquiries.

    From what you have posted I infer that he is in his van parked on the roadside somewhere.
    Information I post is for England unless otherwise stated. Rules may be different in other parts of UK.
  • Cartini
    Cartini Community member Posts: 1,108 Pioneering
    edited January 8
    Ignore - I didn`t read your reply properly

  • ETR66
    ETR66 Community member Posts: 6 Listener
    Sorry for the late reply but I have not been well at all. 
    Yes his van is parked up on a small patch of land all year round. He has no clothes washing facilities so he uses my washing machine. I wouldn't ask for money because he is so good with me. He brings my shopping and does some chores for me as an unpaid carer.
    I still worry, but can't cope without his help. 
    :(

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