DWP (formerly the DSS)?

Question

Hi I was just wondering in a purely innocent hypothetical way, what info the DWP have access too? Well in truth! My friend who is moving to New York at Christmas wants to stay for a couple of months and do temping work tp clear some debts before he leaves. Because I am disabled my rent is paid by housing benefit. If he uses my address with the temping agency will this address pop-up on the NI database, and can they have carte blanche access to it??? eg am I screwed?!

Answer 1

You make a fundamental assumption that these government bodies have their act together and know what they are doing. Believe me - they don't.

The only time you might hit a problem is if someone grasses you up to the authorities, but even then , by the time they get around to doing anything about it, your friend will be long gone.

I assume your friend is coming here on some kind of holiday or visitor visa, which probably means he is not supposed to work, so just keep quiet about it.

Oops - too late ....

Answer 2

Not necessarily, if the question arises then tell them it is a temporary forwarding address. As long as you do not receive an income from this person you will be OK. Your circumstances will not have changed.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

As long as you are not "living Together" there will not be any problems unless your friend claims any form of benefit.
The database only covers individuals details not their living arrangements,just go ahead.

Answer 4

if he is living at your house it may affect your housing benefit , though as he is family and it is only for a few months they may not bother to chase it up best to phone them and ask they may accept it for a few months.

Answer 5

as long as you are not cohabiting.