Lone parent - benefits
10 answers /
Last post: 22/02/2024 at 3:52 pm
I am seeking advice about how this works.
Currently I live with my 9yr old daughter in rented house from housing association. Due to PTSD from domestic abuse, I am in receipt of PIP and my child gets DLA. I work part time, and also get an additional disability element in my UC. As a lone parent I am worried about how moving in a partner would affect my benefits- as I don’t have another parent helping financially with my daughter. My partner also has two kids to his ex wife, 50/50 divide and pays half maintenance a month.
How does all this work? As he has his own children to pay for? I can’t expect him to help with my child.
Hi there, if he has 50/50 care then he needn't be paying any maintenance for his children. The courts wouldn't suggest that at all seeing as he has his own expenses exactly the same as the children's mother.
In fact, why doesn't he claim child benefit for one child and his ex for the other?
Secondly, if he moves in with you then of course he is expected to contribute equally to the running costs of living.
That includes his two girls half time and your full time child. Same for you!
You live as a family and all costs are shared.
You might lose some benefits but you won't be living as a single parent, you'll be living as a family unit, so surely it will balance out?
My husband moved in with over 50/50 shared care of three children and they just fitted in. Yes food bills went up, yes utilities increased, yes there were additional costs of clothes, toys, books, shoes, school equipment etc etc etc, but that's what you do!
I was happy to contribute equally to our home and my step children!
Yes everything increased for me, but overall it probably didn't as costs were shared.
If you are merging your lives then that's what you are doing!
If he moves in with you then you are a family. Your child is not a burden and you become one family. Surely he would be happy to contribute to all family costs?
Your UC will go down .
his income will be taken into account for the household income . He will be expected to pay towards half the bills .
you will always get PIP and DLA regardless of the income and the carers element of ÚC for your child . And child benefit as long as his income isn’t over £50,000.
the housing element and tax credits element of ÚC will probly be lost .
and you won’t get council tax discount as your not a single person so will have to pay full council tax.
THE UC will now be a joined claim , and depending on his income what you will get .
he may be able to get the carers element for you as you get PIP through the joint UC claim.
but housing will be cancelled and you will be expected to pay the rent and council tax in full.
Also - if he does have his girls 50/50 , if you don’t have the room for them in the house this will be hard to prove so he will likely have to pay the maintenance for them still.
He would be expected to contribute to everything including your daughter . As you live as a family .
if his not going to contribute I would seriously consider this move as you will be a lot worse off
He would be expected to contribute to everything including your daughter . As you live as a family .
if his not going to contribute I would seriously consider this move as you will be a lot worse off
I'd reconsider the relationship if he doesn't accept them as a package!
Why can’t you expect him to help with your child ?
If he moves in to your and your daughter’s home then you become a family unit.
I personally would not be moving him in because you have had to ask this question and also where are his 2 daughters going to live presumably you don’t live in a mansion.
Perhaps keep living arrangements as they are until the children are older ?
If he moves in with you then you are a family. Your child is not a burden and you become one family. Surely he would be happy to contribute to all family costs?
This - you are a family / team and support each other so a joint claim !
If 50/50 custody then neither pay maintenance to the other (your new partner )
Think a partner can stay 3 nights max without being classed as joint claim , though I will be corrected I am sure
Hi Jojobene30,
Just sharing the below links here as well for further info:
https://www.advicenow.org.uk/guides/living-partner-and-benefits
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/
Hope this helps,
MoneyHelper
