Benefits and credits

From 5 December 2005, same-sex couples living together as civil partners and claiming benefits, will be treated as a couple and not as two single persons. This is irrespective of whether a Civil Partnership has been registered or not. It means that if either or both of you are claiming benefits, you must re-submit a claim as a couple.

The benefits affected include: income support, income based jobseeker’s allowance, pension credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit, working tax credit, and child tax credit. Other benefits may also be affected! It’s essential to check with your local benefit office.

When claiming as a couple, as you are required to do, you should be aware that benefits may be reduced or even stopped altogether.

What if we aren't registered? 

You still have rights. Any right or benefit paid to heterosexual unmarried partners, must also be paid to same sex partners who haven’t registered a civil partnership. This includes things like pension rights and other benefits.