Civil partnerships and your claim for housing and council tax benefit

The Civil Partnership Act took affect on 5 December 2005.

From 5 December 2005, people registering for civil partnerships or living together as civil partners will be treated the same as opposite sex partners for housing and council tax benefit and other Department for Works and Pensions administered benefits.

Existing couples who have single separate claims

To avoid an overpayment of benefit you will now need to make a claim as a couple. If you are in receipt of income support, or job seekers allowance you must inform the Department for Works and Pensions that you wish to claim as a couple.

If you are in receipt of guaranteed pension credit you must inform The Pension Service that you wish to claim as a couple.

If you are in receipt of any other income you must inform the housing benefit office.

Definition of a partner

A partner is:

• a person you are married to or have a civil partnership with
• a person you live with as if you were their husband, wife or civil partner