Civil partnerships and benefits

The Civil Partnership Act enables same sex couples to obtain legal recognition for their relationship.

This means same sex couples, who have formed a civil partnership, or who are living together as if they were civil partners, will be treated in the same way as opposite sex couples who are married or living together as husband and wife.

To register a Civil Partnership in Southwark, call 020 7525 7651.

Should you reclaim?

Anyone claiming benefit must tell us if they are living with their same sex partner. If you have been receiving benefit as a single person then you must reclaim as a couple.

Failure to claim as a couple could mean that your housing and council tax benefit is overpaid and you may be asked to repay it.