Housing element Uc. I’m confused?!

dp267

Hi everyone,

so im confused about the housing element on UC?

trouble is I was in a gay couple and we both never claimed UC. anyway when we split up which was ages ago we were both still working. 

Now I don’t work. I had to do a Uc claim and for housing element and joint tenancy they asked me my relationship to the joint tenant so I said friend. Because even though split up we are friends. 

I spoke to welfare benefits for Salford and they said this is completely reasonable and fine. But I can’t help but thinking it’s wrong somehow?  

Was I meant to say ex partner? But we are friends? We’re 100% not a couple now. In fact, I have a new partner myself. 

Just wondering. I’m scared and confused 

Alex_Scope

Hello @dp267 I'm sorry to read how this has been playing on your mind, but I don't think there's any need to worry, as you say, you have moved onto a new relationship now

It can be quite stressful having things turn over a lot in our minds, but talking about it helps. If you find spending time on the community helps, you're welcome to have a chat with other members over in the Coffee Lounge.

Please know that even though it feels worrying and confusing, we are here to support you. I'm sure you're not alone in feeling confused about UC as well!

dp267

Is this okay then? Should I have said he is an ex partner? 

Alex_Scope

Yes that's fine @dp267, I think your claim would only be impacted if you are living with your current partner.

dp267

The landlord won’t accept two payments for the rent though and the bills are all in his name! 

Oh my god! Am I in trouble?!

I mean I defo have a new partner and can verify this but I’m so worried. 

Biblioklept

You've nothing to worry about @dp267 if you're not living together as a couple and they aren't related to you then friend is the right answer

Do you transfer your half of the rent to your friend to pay the rent each month?

dp267p

Hi

Sorry I lost my account. I have to send my half to my friend yes because the estate agent won't accept two payments. Only one and it has to come out of one bank account.

Is this bad for UC purposes?

I am panicking.

Biblioklept

No it's fine as long as you have a tenancy agreement and you're named on it as joint tenant. Lots of people share with friends and have that set up! Please don't panic!

dp267p

Yes joint tenancy and joint council tax bill etc. I was told I have a discount for council tax but never tried for it yet. 

dp267p

I’ve had mix opinions from welfare rights. Some of them say it’s fine to send money to him since I’m useless with money and can’t manage it. One lady said it could look weird. But how else can we do it? 

Opening a joint bank looks worse 

Biblioklept

I don't see why welfare rights would say different things to each other. As long as you can evidence you're not a couple and you're sending him your part of the rent which he's then paying I don't get what the issue is

dp267p

Yeah I thought that. Then there’s the living together as if you’re married. What does that even mean?!

Biblioklept

There's guidance online but it's being a couple and living together like married so sharing costs, eating together, etc. If you're not a couple then you really don't need to worry

calcotti

dp267p said:..Then there’s the living together as if you’re married. What does that even mean?!

See
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/661551/adme4.pdf

dp267p

calcotti said:

dp267p said:..Then there’s the living together as if you’re married. What does that even mean?!

See
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/661551/adme4.pdf

Even reading that was confusing. 

We’re definitely not a couple. He went on holiday for 10 days by himself recently and I was left alone here. 

But I suppose UC don’t care if you’re having sex or not. 

Am I breaking any rules then? I don’t want to get into trouble. 

dp267p

Biblioklept said:

There's guidance online but it's being a couple and living together like married so sharing costs, eating together, etc. If you're not a couple then you really don't need to worry

Sharing what costs? etc

I don’t think my name is on any of the energy bills. But then the broadband bill is in my name. This is really starting to worry me now. 

Alex_Scope

There's no need to worry @dp267p try not to overthink this too much if you can. You are not going to get into trouble  

Can you tell me what helps you most with anxiety and stress? Try and focus on that for now if you're able. 

Even if you spend just 5 minutes looking out the window and really noticing the details, like the colours you can see, what you can hear, or smell, or focusing on your breathing. Anything that puts this worry to rest for a bit.

Is there anyone you can talk to about how you're feeling, like your current partner? Do you have any support, such as a mental health team or your GP you can speak to about your anxiety at all?

It might be worth taking a break from the screen for a bit as well, just to reset and relax. 

You really aren't in trouble, remember you've done nothing wrong

calcotti

Out of the link I posted earlier look at this from paragraph E4093

To be treated as LTAMC the relationship has to be the same as that of a married couple. Marriage is where two people join together with the intention of sharing the rest of their lives. There is no single template of what the relationship of a married couple is. It is a stable partnership, not just based on economic dependency but also on an emotional relationship of lifetime commitment rather than one of convenience, friendship, companionship or the living together of lovers.

None of this, from what you have posted, applies to you.

dp267p

Does it matter how long you and your ex were together?

Alex_Scope

As you're not with you're ex anymore @dp267p it doesn't matter how long you were together, no. 

Does that make sense?

dp267p

It does make sense yeah. 

Someone said it could land me into trouble. As you’re meant to say the nature of relationship is ex partner. So they can come and assess you?

I mean there’s two bedrooms and we have a bedroom each. Only shared facility is toilet/bathroom, kitchen and garden. Obviously the living room but living separate lives.