ACG09022 - LTAHAW: Explanations Offered by Applicants

There are a number of explanations which may be offered by the applicant for not declaring the presence of a partner, e.g..

• He/she is not here all the time (works away)
• Thought he/she could stay 3 nights a week without it affecting entitlement
• He/she lives at another address
• He/she gives me no money
• He/she is not the father/mother of my children
• He/she is a lodger/just a friend
• We do not have sex

You should consider these explanations in relation to the 6 criteria, at ACG09010 and the facts should be pursued.

• If suspected partner lives at another address is this address real or a postal address. Perhaps a friend has provided a convenient address. If the suspected partner does have a genuine address it is impossible to prove living together. Check the address against the voters list, in the TPI Data Mart, the Departmental Central Index and the SA record.
• The “3 night rule” does not exist and the other criteria need to be considered in order to establish the true picture.
• Whilst the suspected partner may not contribute to the household finances this point in isolation is irrelevant.
• The parentage of the children is not relevant and the other criteria should be examined
• If it is claimed that the suspected partner is a lodger then they should pay rent. Establish the details of the amount of rent paid, the frequency and any documentary evidence. .
• The sexual relationship (or lack of sexual relationship) of a couple does not, on its own, establish whether or not the couple are LTAHAW.