Equal rights advice for gay partnerships (From Warrington Guardian)

Equal rights advice for gay partnerships

SAME sex couples in Crewe and Nantwich are being offered help and advice on new laws by the area's Citizen's Advice Bureau.

The changes in gay rights comes from the new laws, which means same sex couples can get legal recognition for their relationship by registering a civil partnership.

Under the new legislation, which comes into force on December 5, same sex couples who register a civil partnership will have the same legal and tax rights as heterosexual married couples.

They will usually be accepted as their partner's next of kin and be eligible for pension benefits.

CAB district manager Wendy Tozer said: "We're pleased to see a change in the law giving same sex couples recognition for their relationships.

"However we do urge people who live together as a couple, whether or not they register a civil partnership, to seek advice as soon as possible regarding the changes that may affect them."

The changes will mean some couples claiming pensions or welfare benefits may see their entitlements change.

Instead of claiming individually, same sex couples who live together will be treated as a couple and no longer as two single people, even if they do not register a civic partnership.

Benefit entitlements will be affected because the income and savings of both partners will be taken into account when working out claims.

A new CAB fact sheet explains how people can register a civil partnership and explains about the changes to inheritance, tax, housing, and benefit rights.