Co-habitation

[Cheesefreek]

Does anyone know what the law is if a single parent claiming benefits has his/her partner staying over occasionally. Are they allowed to stay a couple of nights a week, an occasional week? Are there any rules about this?

[Reverandfunk]

I think it's 2/3 nights a week but am sure someone will prove me wrong lol

[Kathyan]

I was told that someone staying just one night is not allowed.

[bednobs]

if you are talking about housing benefit i think the actual term is "regular" and this is open to interpretation, depending on where you live ... I once rang up the housing benefit office in berkshire on behalf of a client of mine and they said their interpretation of "regular" could be even 1 night a week. They also told me that if the person declares a regular overnight stay, it didnt mean they lost the benefit completely, just that the person staying would be asked to contribute a percentage (ie if they stayed 1 might then it would be 1/7th of the housing benefit).

Your best bet would be to phone your local office yourself and discuss the situation - after all if you are making a general enquiry, no need to state your name

[bednobs]

ps, regular could also be classed as 1 night a month, or 1 night a fortnight

[tubeway]

Once a year is regular - not often though