Same-sex couples and benefits

From 5 December 2005, same-sex partners who live together are treated as a couple for the purpose of claiming benefits.

This applies to civil partners and to same-sex couples who live together as if they were civil partners. [ References to same-sex couples have been inserted into HB and CTB regulations, where relevant, by Civil Partnership (Pensions, Social Security and Child Support) (Consequential etc. Provisions) Order 2005 SI 2005/2877 and The Social Security (Civil Partnership) Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2005 SI 2005/2878 ]