What we mean by 'living together as husband and wife'

If two people of the opposite sex live together and share their lives in the same way as a married couple, we consider that they are living together as husband and wife even though they are not married. We need to know if you are living together as if you are husband and wife so that any benefits you may be able to get are worked out correctly.   If you are living together as if you are husband and wife, we call the person you are living with your partner.

What we mean by 'living together as civil partners'

Since December 2005 same-sex couples have been able to have their relationships legally recognised by forming civil partnerships. Couples who form civil partnerships have many of the same rights as married couples, including equal treatment for social security benefits and entitlements.

If two people of the same sex live together and share their lives in the same way as civil partners, we consider that they are living together as civil partners, even though they have not legally registered their partnership.

We need to know if you are living together as if you are civil partners so that any benefits you may be able to get are worked out correctly. If you are living together as if you are civil partners, we call the person you are living with your partner.

What we mean by 'partner'

We use partner to mean

• a person you are married to or a person you live with as if you are married to them, or
• a civil partner or a person you live with as if you are civil partners.

What difference does living together as husband and wife or as civilpartners maketo Income Support and Jobseeker’s Allowance?

When we work out entitlement to Income Support or Jobseeker’s Allowance we treat all customers with partners the same way. There is no difference between couples who are married, or have formed civil partnerships, or live together as husband and wife, or live together as civil partners.

This is to make sure that couples who choose to marry or form civil partnerships are not treated any more or less favourably than those who do not.

Why we need more information

You may already have been asked some questions about your living arrangements. But your situation is still not clear. Someone will interview you about your circumstances to see if you share your life together in the same way as a married couple or civil partners. It would be helpful if the person you share your accommodation with is also present at the interview, but if this is not possible do not worry.

The person who interviews you will ask you about:

•  how you came to share accommodation
•  how you share your home and your lives, and
•  what plans you have for the future, if any.

You will not be asked if you have a sexual relationship.

But you may want to tell the person who interviews you whether you have a sexual relationship or not, because this will help them get a clearer picture of your life.

The person who interviews you will note down what you say, using your own words. At the end of the interview you will be able to read your statement yourself or have it read back to you. You will then be asked if you want to add or change anything before you sign your statement.

We do not have a checklist of questions to ask you. There is no single factor that will show that you are living together as husband and wife or as civil partners. For example, just because you share financial responsibilities we will not necessarily consider that you are living together as husband and wife or as civil partners.

What happens after the interview?

Your claim form and statement will be sent to a Decision Maker who will look at your answers and decide if your life together is like a marriage or civil partnership. When making this decision they will consider all the information you provide. They will then write and tell you of their decision.

If they think that your life together is like a marriage or civil partnership, they will decide that you are living together as husband and wife or as civil partners.

If they think that your life together is not like a marriage or civil partnership, they will decide that you are not living together as husband and wife or as civil partners.

If you have only recently started to live in the same accommodation, they may decide that your life together is not at present like a marriage or civil partnership and will look at your case again at a later date. They will write to you again about this.