Living With X Wife

[albertonian]

My x wife and I have been sharing the same rented property for the last 5 years allthough we divorced some 8 years ago.We are well into retirement and receive housing benefit as a couple.However we are not a "couple"and have seperate bedrooms,why is it that we can only receive benefit for a single bedroom and have to make up the difference in cost of renting a 2 bedroomed property,should we not be classed as single applicants to be eligible for two bedrooms

[MadMen]

Well why don't you both put in new separate claims, as two single people?
They will probably want to come round and have a look at your living situation, to make sure you really are living as "single people".

[rsvp]

I must be missing something here -you are receiving benefits on one hand as a couple but you want to know why you only receive benefit for a single bedroom on the other hand. Please, please, please.....somebody tell me what I'm missing here. How on earth can you receive benefits as a couple when you have just admitted you are not a couple?????

[albertonian]

Thank you rsvp your second paragraph gives both the question and the answer.

[EvianBaby]

What's to stop any other couple claiming they are seperated in order to get 2 beds instead of just one.

[albertonian]

Would that not be illegal EvianBaby?My wife and I are not seperated we are divorced.We are both 75yr and one way or the other we need two bedrooms as one of us is incapacitated,I originally asked a genuine question,however it seems to have rattled a cage or two.I shall in future endeaver to answer questions if I can rather than ask them.Thanks anyway

[magsmay]

Albertonian: you should make an appointment to see a housing officer. Go with your ex wife and take your divorce papers with you and explain you are living in one house to save on costs but are not living as a couple. If one of you is incapacitated I am sure the other person can be classed as a full time carer, therefore you would be exempt from the 'bedroom tax' and may be able to get a carers allowance as well as your housing benefits. A trip to citizens advice may be useful but I would tend to to straight to the benefit office and try and sort it out -good luck.

[friedgreentomato]

when you completed the forms you must have ticked that you were a couple

[albertonian]

Thank you for your sensible answer Magsmay,I shall take your advice.

[bednobs]

i thought that the new "bedroom tax" did not apply to pensioners? Have you been told you have to pay it?

[joko]

i dont think you have rattled anyones cage - you are just being confusing.

rsvp makes a valid point - if you have registered at the dole as a couple why would you be confused that they class you as a couple...?
they only know what you have told them

have you even asked the dole to class you separately? if so what did they say? what was their reason for refusal?
did you prove you were divorced?

you must admit its somewhat unusual for a divorced couple to continue to live together - obviously they are going to want proof.

perhaps if you just answered and explained instead of being sarcastic people might be able to better advise you...