§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what criteria are applied when assessing benefit entitlement to define whether a man and woman are living together as husband and wife with regard to(a) definition of a stable relationship, (b) financial support, (c) sexual relationship, (d) presence of children and (e) public acknowledgement of their relationship. [18267]
§ Mr. Roger EvansDecisions about benefit entitlement are made by adjudication officers. Where necessary, this incudes decisions about whether a man and a woman are living together as an unmarried couple. Guidance on the factors to be taken into account is issued by the chief adjudication officer. The adjudication officer will normally consider whether the alleged couple share normal household tasks, how long the couple have been together, whether they share bills and other household expenses, if other people regard them as a couple, and whether there are children of their union or they share responsibility for child care. Information about a sexual relationship is not requested, but, if volunteered, will also be taken into consideration.
Decisions are made on the facts of the individual case. The criteria do not represent a rigid formula, and the presence or absence of any single factor will not by itself determine the decision.