Civil Partnerships
The Civil Partnership Registration Act came into force on 5 December 2005.
Committed same-sex relationships are now recognised and registered partners will have a new legal status as "registered civil partners". Partnership registrations are recorded by a registrar in the same way as a marriage.
It means that civil partners (whether formally registered or not) have gained new rights and responsibilities.
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, which you may be asked to repay, you now need to make a claim as a couple. Please contact us as soon as possible.
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 let us know.
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
