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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU or are the tax credit people?

38 replies

bejeezus · 16/02/2012 14:16

Have had a letter from them, which basically translates into- I am being investigated for fraudulently claiming as a single person

Me and stbxh seperated last January and divorce proceedings started and I put in my single person claim. Stbxh is STILL living in the house until divorce is finalised and all financial stuff is official, because he doesn't trust me and because he's a wanker

I have always told the TCP people he is still in the house, he doesn't pay towards mortgage etc and gives me 2008 pounds a month only for 2 dcs.

They want to see all my solicitors letters about the divorce and a years worth of utility bills and bank statements!! What a pain in the arse and there is stuff in my solicitors letters I don't want to share with the fecking tax credit office!

OP posts:
Tee2072 · 16/02/2012 14:18

So he gives you £2008 a month and you don't use that for the mortgage? Really?

I'd investigate you as well. Sorry.

hanaka88 · 16/02/2012 14:19

Was that meant to say £208?

ShirleyO · 16/02/2012 14:20

Why is there stuff you don't want the tax office to see?

Is that really £2,008.00 per month or a typo?

gamerwidow · 16/02/2012 14:21

It is a PITA but I don't think the TCP people are at fault here. They do have a duty to investigate any situations with difer from the norm and they would be remiss not to ask you to prove that you and your STBXH really are divorcing.
You're not at fault either it's just unfortunate that your situation is unusual enough to warrant investigation.

ENormaSnob · 16/02/2012 14:22

Yabu

I think they are right to investigate tbh.

IUseTooMuchKitchenRoll · 16/02/2012 14:23

They seem to have very good reason to investigate. If your finances have been kept separately then you will be able to prove what you need to.

BoysAreLikeDogs · 16/02/2012 14:24

YABU

It could appear that you are cohabiting, and so they must clarify

Original poster
bejeezus · 16/02/2012 14:29

Ha. I wish! 200 pounds!

But how does utility bills show we are seperate???

Also they won't accept a letter from my solicitor specifically for this purpose

OP posts:
rabbitfeet · 16/02/2012 14:32

Do you mean divorce proceedings started in January 2011? If so, why has it taken 13 months and you're still not divorced? I'm not surprised you're being investigated.

Original poster
bejeezus · 16/02/2012 14:32

I always told THEM we were in the same house!

If their clever fecking computers can detect that he is still here, from CC Bills etc why can't said computers see that my finances are completely seperate??

OP posts:
ChasingSquirrels · 16/02/2012 14:32

As long as you have the evidence to substantiate your claim there shouldn't be a problem. That is no different to anyone else.
The fact that you get maint money does not preclude your claim (people may argue that you shouldn't claim, but the law is as it is).
The tax credit people will not give a flying fuck about the contents of the letters, and presumably are completely anonymous to you anyway.

Original poster
bejeezus · 16/02/2012 14:34

The stuff I don't want them to see is about our divorce- why our marriage broke down- none of their business

OP posts:
Original poster
bejeezus · 16/02/2012 14:36

200 pounds for both kids and 'rent' and all bills and any food he fancies eating of mine mind. Will stop when he moves out!

OP posts:
AbbyAbsinthe · 16/02/2012 14:37

See, now you're just sounding like you've got something to hide. Not to me, but to them. They have no knowledge of who you are, and would walk past you in the street, as you would them. Who cares if they know why your marriage broke down? Surely you just want to prove yourself right and honest?

chipsplease · 16/02/2012 14:38

you are still living with your husband. ( soon to be ex or not) why do you think they wont investigate that?
plenty of happliy married people have their finances seperate from their partner.

Original poster
bejeezus · 16/02/2012 14:40

Really? It's personal stuff, its pretty sordid. It's shameful, it makes me feel vulnerable. You can't understand why I don't want to send it to them?

OP posts:
mollymole · 16/02/2012 14:40

YABU - they are asking for proof that you are entitled to the money you are claiming and you have the information that they require - so let them have it
(they do not care a toss about why you are divorcing). Not letting them have it infers that there is some thing amiss).

ShirleyO · 16/02/2012 14:42

They honestly won't give the tiniest shit. I presume the fraud team have seen everything once.

Don't worry about that, just get all the stuff together and get it off to them ASAP. To fight it in anyway will be a) pointless and b) counterproductive

Original poster
bejeezus · 16/02/2012 14:42

That's kind of my point as well chips plenty of people keep seperate finances- it won't prove anything

I shall bundle it all up and courier it to them. Might send them a feed years worth- that should bore someone to death

OP posts:
AbbyAbsinthe · 16/02/2012 14:43

Yeah but... they don't know you! Your solicitor has seen it, and you have to actually see them!

Whilst I can understand why you're pissed off that it's none of their business, I would be more bothered about proving myself, personally.

HappyMummyOfOne · 16/02/2012 14:53

If you dont like the checks, then dont claim.

If you are seperated, they will be checking that all the bills/accounts are in your name only etc. Its rare to still be living together 12 months after a split so they are quite right to check.

LilacWaltz · 16/02/2012 14:57

I can't believe that this was ever ok'ed! Really I can't.

LilacWaltz · 16/02/2012 14:58

Do you claim single persons council tax discount?

IUseTooMuchKitchenRoll · 16/02/2012 15:00

I can understand why you don't want them to know the details of your divorce, but they are giving you free money, it can't all be plain sailing.

They won't be interested in the things that are personal to you anyway, they just want to know that you really are getting divorced and you aren't just pretending to. Or that you aren't getting divorced so that you can claim lone parent benefits.

Have you got all the bills transferred in to your name only?

LilacWaltz · 16/02/2012 15:02

If the circs are that bad then it could be argued that whilst you are still sharing a roof they could be made up/fraud etc etc

Not suggesting it , but it might look this way