AIBU or are the tax credit people?

[bejeezus]

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!

"free money"

Do me a fucking favour.

I am surprised you can claim as single while you are still living together tbh.

Surely you are both liable for household bills and therefore don't have the same outgoings as a single parent iyswim?

If the reasons behind your pending divorce are shameful and sordid and make you feel vulnerable then how can you tolerate living in the same house as your 'stbxh'?

I'd be far more concerned with getting rid of him to be honest (although I understand that's easier said than done much of the time).

I wouldn't worry about strangers in an office reading your personal stuff. They'll have seen it all and more.

@ free money

just give them what they want Op and take it from there

I don't want no stinking free money. I want EXPENSIVE money.

YABU you are still married and still living together

No I can't claim council tax benefit whilst he is still living here

I do have the same outgoings as if he wasn't here; whilst you and I may agree he is liable for half of bills etc, try telling him that. I can't force him to give me money

Yes, it is a pretty intolerable situation. Which is maybe why I think I over reacted to tax credit request

It sounds totally awful bejeezus. It's been over a year, are there any small moves you can make towards actually phsically separating?

This all sounds a terribly difficult way to live - and to have done it for a year is

You have done nothing wrong, so don't worry about it. Of course they have to investigate as some people do abuse the system

I can assure you that they'll be far too busy to read everything - they'll just get what they need most probably from dates and headings/first paragraphs of letter.

I thinly we are getting there, making steps. I agreed to a series of conditions. And divorce can't be far from finished....

Thank you for helping get it in perspective, and concentrate on the practicality of it!

It does sound unusual and a bit complicated but surely if you always told "them" that you were still living in the same house and they continued to pay your tax credits based on that info then they can't turn around now and say that you misled anyone?! I hope it works out ok for you. It is tricky, I'm just thinking actually that I live with DP (civil partnership) but all the bills are in my name and our finances are separate so you can understand that these misunderstandings do occur on both sides.