Hi Stressed and GibsonGirl, thanks for getting back to me. My partner has barely enough to support herself at the end of the month let alone cover my rent or give me some spending money so I'm amazed that £18,000 - at least for private rented accommodation in inner London - is seen as enough to support 2 people.

I've read around on the Directgov site and it seems to say that you're treated as a 'single entity' when it comes to benefits - that is your partner's earnings are taken into account when calculating if you're eligible but they don't automatically deny you on the basis that you can share your partners income (to quote part of the site directly: "If you live with a partner or civil partner only one of you can get Housing Benefit.") The site also lists restrictions on eligibility but makes no mention of living with your partner: you have savings of over £16,000, you live in the home of a close relative, you're a full-time student (unless you're disabled or have children), you're an asylum seeker or are sponsored to be in the UK. I suppose the other thing to do would be to say I'm living with a flatmate...? Would that change my eligibility?

Also, GibsonGirl - do you know why they made you go through the Jobseeker's Allowance route in order to get HB? Everything I've read states that HB eligibility is independent of your employment status.

Thanks again for all your help!

Hi Stressed and GibsonGirl, thanks for getting back to me. My partner has barely enough to support herself at the end of the month let alone cover my rent or give me some spending money so I'm amazed that £18,000 - at least for private rented accommodation in inner London - is seen as enough to support 2 people.

I've read around on the Directgov site and it seems to say that you're treated as a 'single entity' when it comes to benefits - that is your partner's earnings are taken into account when calculating if you're eligible but they don't automatically deny you on the basis that you can share your partners income (to quote part of the site directly: "If you live with a partner or civil partner only one of you can get Housing Benefit.") The site also lists restrictions on eligibility but makes no mention of living with your partner: you have savings of over £16,000, you live in the home of a close relative, you're a full-time student (unless you're disabled or have children), you're an asylum seeker or are sponsored to be in the UK. I suppose the other thing to do would be to say I'm living with a flatmate...? Would that change my eligibility?

Also, GibsonGirl - do you know why they made you go through the Jobseeker's Allowance route in order to get HB? Everything I've read states that HB eligibility is independent of your employment status.

Thanks again for all your help!

Hi Stressed and GibsonGirl, thanks for getting back to me. My partner has barely enough to support herself at the end of the month let alone cover my rent or give me some spending money so I'm amazed that £18,000 - at least for private rented accommodation in inner London - is seen as enough to support 2 people.

I've read around on the Directgov site and it seems to say that you're treated as a 'single entity' when it comes to benefits - that is your partner's earnings are taken into account when calculating if you're eligible but they don't automatically deny you on the basis that you can share your partners income (to quote part of the site directly: "If you live with a partner or civil partner only one of you can get Housing Benefit.") The site also lists restrictions on eligibility but makes no mention of living with your partner: you have savings of over £16,000, you live in the home of a close relative, you're a full-time student (unless you're disabled or have children), you're an asylum seeker or are sponsored to be in the UK. I suppose the other thing to do would be to say I'm living with a flatmate...? Would that change my eligibility?

Also, GibsonGirl - do you know why they made you go through the Jobseeker's Allowance route in order to get HB? Everything I've read states that HB eligibility is independent of your employment status.

Thanks again for all your help!

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Hello, I work 2 days a week and am studying part-time for an MA in London. I have no grants, bursaries or other sources of funding for my studies but I do have £2,000 in savings (for my fees next year). I live with my partner who works full-time and is on £18,000 salary. I pay £455 per month rent and am in private rented accommodation. Does anyone know if I'd be entitled to housing benefit/local housing allowance (or any other benefits)? Would I have to go into detail about my course timetable when claiming? I have lectures/seminars every Tuesday, 6pm-9pm. Thanks in advance.