•Your partner and, in some cases, your children can be included in your means-tested benefit.

•You count as a member of a couple if you are married or in a civil partnership and are living with your partner in the same household. You also count as a couple if you are not married or in a civil partnership, but are living with your partner as if you were living together as a married couple or civil partners.

•A child or ‘qualifying young person’ can be included as part of your family if you are responsible for them. They must also live in your household.

•You can continue to count as a couple, and children and young people can continue to be included in your means-tested benefit, while you are living apart temporarily.