Is this benefit fraud?

[ahzixy]

I recently have gotten back together with the father of my kids. We've been seeing each other and he's been staying over at my house. I claim housing benefit.

He doesn't pay towards any of my bills and I don't to his either.

We've always had an agreement between the two of us that he pays £200 per month in child maintenance. That is all he pays to me. In times I have borrowed money like small amounts( but I also do this with my mum and that doesn't tie us financially)

His car is registered at his house, all his bills etc, his work has him as registered at his house.

My name is on my wifi bill, phone bill and I have pre paid metres under my name.

He pays all his council tax etc and gas and electricity which in his one bed flat cost £70 combined but he's paying of a huge debt so he pays £300-400 a month to that.

Things like days out etc or new things for the kids we do go half.

I've also gotten him things through catalog credit like very and Argos since his credit is bad so every other month he will bank transfer money for that but he labels each transfer (I know that doesn't hold much)

We have 3 kids together and he is over often and on his days off takes the kids to and from school.

My close friends would say we are seeing each other but neighbours I exchange polite exchanges would say we are a couple.

I know it's nothing to do with nights spent here it's about finances. I have a lot of proof he pays nothing to my house.

The only thing is I use his Netflix. But before this I used my best friends nextflix too I only changed to his to not lose my place on shows.

The only thing is he's so tight with money even before seeing me he never had wifi. We can prove this also. But to me that looks odd no wifi.

He's also the cheapest person I know with bills. He refuses to have heating on, does washing at his parents house and showers at his gym. Making his bills as low as possible.

My downstairs neighbours told me to my face in April they've reported him living here. Nothing at all came from this so surely it's not fraud??

Is it fraud?? I'm terrified I really don't like this situation and want to get him added asap but we literally couldn't afford to live if he did with his huge debts and until he sells his house.

He's stingy and won't pay his way for his kids. Best thing you could do would be stop being in a couple with him. All your worries instantly solved.

Their investigators will take photographs of people coming and going as proof of him living there. This would also include photographing his car etc to establish his movements. Be careful and take advice from your local benefits of advice office as you be really don't need the stress of an investigation and possible court case.
It sounds like your neighbour will report you repeatedly so I'd be very careful.

yeah he is running his entire house. All bills paid etc

And he can afford to do that because benefits are paying for his partner and children.

He sounds awful- running up his parents’ electricity bill to save himself some money is really awful.

And paying half the amount for his children than he does for his debt. What a prince.

Does he have a toothbrush and clothes and stuff that stay at your house?

Cant believe some of the scaremongering replies on here !!!

OP, he has his own house, pays his own council tax, pays his own gas and electric. He doesnt need to be added to your claim or your property. He has his own!

If someone ever did report you for benefit fraud all theyd want to know is if he was paying Bill's at your house. If you can prove he pays his own council tax and gas and electric ect your absolutely fine

If he lives in the house with you you have to inform all benefits off change of circumstances

If he has a property in his name that he is paying for, he is not living with you. He is spending time with you.

I lived just like this for 7 years. If he's not contributing to bills it makes no odds. Nobody could ever prove if he buys a loaf of bread here amd there... Ignore the interfering fuckers!

So what if he does!! It makes no odds, he's got his own address with bills!]!

And were you happy to claim benefits rather than expecting your partner to fund his own children?

It's a sign they look for when they come to investigate so if it does get to that stage make sure there's nothing there.

If he's in it for the long run then things will have to change re maintenance I don't see why he should get away with paying you a lump sum

Few years back, I was split (and still am) from my dd's dad, however, he still came to my house to visit on a regular basis but he didn't stay the night. I was reported (maliciously) and was interviewed.

It really depends on how the DWP view it. The reason it might be taking so long is because they may be carrying out investigations which can go on for months.

It depends on how they view it, for example, if he is staying the night, yous are going on days out, dinner out etc they may view it as yous are a couple but are living separately in order to claim benefits.

Or

They may view it as exactly how you have said. It really does depend on what 'evidence' they gather on you.

I was reported in the April time (I knew who done it) and was Interviewed in the October or November. They hadn't done investigations on me as such (that i know of) but they had accessed my bank accounts though and checked what payments came from him and questioned me on a mutual maintenance agreement. No further action was taking against me.

I know it's not a nice thing to go through (even when you are doing no wrong). Try not to worry. (Easier said than done).

Do they still do surveillance in cases where they need clarification?

Sounds like you both may be claiming council tax benefit/discount, potentially housing benefit as well? Are they council properties? That will also be something that is looked at.
He sounds tight AF to boot - why on earth did you get back with him?
Yes you'll likely be investigated. If you're in a relationship and you have kids, you should be living in the same home and taking financial responsibility for your children and living expenses on a joint basis.

Why don't you live with him in the house that he owns, be a family? His parents could help with the children and you could work part time... Wouldn't this be more the life you'd like to live, without looking over your shoulder? He is your partner, you are a couple and a family. Do it properly and proudly!

So many people saying he's got his own home and bills.

No WiFi
Keeps water/gas/electric down by using parents/gym/freeloading off the girlfriend he's actually clearly living with!!

Claim full benefits as a single while holding onto his property and and possible equity that would bring...

Madness that so many of you are saying to just crack on!!

Because he's a waster and the OP deserves better.

Housing benefit is the one that always catches people out it’s almost as if the Dwp arent that bothered or have bigger fish to fry due to being under HMRC now but my goodness the councils are good !
my friend got accused of housing benefit fraud and she was basically offered the option of going to court or accepting a £3000 fine but her solicitor advised her to accept the fine on the basis that once you’re in front of a judge God knows what could happen on the day and of course she would have a criminal record. Her crime ? The housing benefit people lost documentation that they had signed for when she sent it recorded delivery.

OP I am in a similar position to you in that my ex stays over and was wondering the same so am glad I’ve seen this thread.

I split up with him because he has had alcohol and other problems which effect his ability to be in a relationship.

He stays over approx once a week so he can spend time with DC but we can also go a few weeks without seeing him. It’s more like friends though and we don’t have a sexual relationship now. We also don’t tend to do much together in terms of days out etc.

We might be able to sort it out one day, I don’t know it’s tricky but as it is we’re not really together.

The difference with you OP is that you’re back together as a couple, he takes the kids to school as if he’s living there etc. If I were you, I’d be making plans for him to move back in. It sounds like he’s got you into a shitty situation with his debts though.

When couples split they sometimes have to stay living together due to housing issues.
to dwp this is referred to as an untidy tenancy -it means that you have to prove all finances are separate- however it also means they only pay half your rent.

you might be better off asking this on the universal credit survival page on Facebook.
you can post anonymously

@Jessiesthedog did he have his own house etc?

If you are having to ask then it probably is fraud, anyone can figure out a way of making something appear legit, you and only you know what you should be claiming for.

does washing at his parents house and showers at his gym

A free-loader in other words. Highly unattractive in my book.

If he was "between houses" o.k. Otherwise not.

Isn't that the MN saying? "When a man shows you how he is, believe it"

Sorry I can't answer about the benefit fraud cos I have no idea. Hope you get it sorted.

Excuse you???? How do you know that OP doesn't work and that her partner doesn't work? Just because they get an amount of housing benefit, does not mean "The Taxpayer" is funding their lives ffs! I once worked full time and received £10 per month housing benefit because my wages were poor!

You sound hideously judgmental