Incapacity Benefit and moving in with partner

[LaLa1705]

I have lived alone on Incapacity Benefit and Housing Benefit for some time.If I move in with my partner, who works full time, will I still be able to receive Incapacity Benefit?I aim to return to work following surgery I am waiting for, but in the meantime my health leaves me unable to work.Any advice appreciated.Thank you very much.

[Ethel]

Yes, your incapacity benefit is not affected by a partner's income.

[Mr Veritas]

I am sorry Ethel but I was on Incapacity Benefit for some time,and my Partners Income WAS taken into account.(we are not married)
The Incapacity Benefit Application Form form states "and by Partner we mean someone who you are married to,OR live with as if married to".
You CAN leave a partner off of the Incapacity Claim form,but if the DWP find out you will be liable to repay much of the Beneifit.
What the law says is not what the DWP(who pays the Benefit) does,they are in fact a law unto themselves.

[Ethel]

Mr Veritas, Incapacity Benefit is NOT means tested, so it matters not a jot how much your partner is earning.

You can get Incapacity Benefit even if you are also in receipt of a private pension (if you are under state retirement age) although it can affect the amount you actually get.

I don't understand why your IB was affected by your partner's income - it should not have been.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/Fin ancialSupport/DG_10016082

"What is it?

Incapacity Benefit is a benefit that you can claim for if you are suffering from short or long-term ill health. It is not means tested, but in most cases it will depend on your record of National Insurance contributions."
http://www.askcab.co.uk/money_site/mINCA.asp

The DWP do like to know the ins and outs of everything about the claimant, and the immediate family, but partner's income definitely does not affect a person's claim for IB.

[themas]

Mr Veritas - Could you have been referring to the adult dependants addition to Incapacity Benefit? That is an extra payment which is made in certain circumstances, but only if the dependant's earnings are below a certain figure. It does not affect the basic amount of IB which - as Ethel says - is not means tested.