Civil partnerships

The Civil Partnership Act 2004 came into force on 5 December 2005. This enables same-sex couples to obtain legal recognition of their relationship. Couples who form a civil partnership will have a new legal status, that of “civil partner”. In order to form a civil partnership you must first give notice. A civil partnership can be formed in England and Wales at a register office or an approved premise.

Civil partners are entitled to equal treatment to married couples in issues such as tax, social security, inheritance, pensions and benefits.

For Department for Work and Pension benefits, including Housing and Council Tax Benefit, this means that same-sex couples, who have formed a civil partnership or who are living together as if they were civil partners, will be treated the same as opposite sex couples who are married or who are living together as husband and wife. This will mean that some people, who previously claimed benefits as a single person, will have to reclaim as a couple.

From 5 th December 2005 failure to inform your local authority dealing with your Housing/Council Tax Benefit claim that you are forming a civil partnership or are living together as civil partners could mean your Housing/Council Tax Benefit is overpaid and you may be asked to repay it.

Related links

DWP

ODPM

CAB

www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk

Name and Job Title of Berwick Council contacts

Council tax

Alan Lyall 01289 301750 aal@berwick-upon-tweed.gov.uk

Benefits

Brian Bearhope 01289 301758 bb@berwick-upon-tweed.gov.uk

Council Housing

Simon Lord 01289 301832 sjl@berwick-upon-tweed.gov.uk