to consider committing fraud in an act of desperation

[Upshitcreekwithoutapaddle]

and tell the tax credits people that DH and I have split up so can get some money off them .

We both work full time and have 4DCs. Over the last few years, we have been unbelievably unlucky. DH was made redundant (along with 500 others - small towns largest employer). My low wage was not enough to cover half our outgoings so had a brainwave? and decided to set up our own business (sold house to raise some money) which went tits up after 2 yrs (had to make 2 staff redundant and wasted bloody lot of hard graft!).

Now in rented accomm (my wage only covers rent and food bill if we live on bulk packs of baked beans which we have done!)and as DH could only find a temp job, when he broke his wrist in the summer had to take 6 weeks off (can't drive with one hand)and did not get any sick pay. While he was off fell majorly behind with bills (now 3 months behind on council tax)when his car went for MOT ended up with 300 quid bill, now mine has just been and needs 550 quid of work!! Cannot believe it. Need both cars for work, no alternative and they are both over 7 years old. Cannot get credit as have been completely f**ked with credit history when business flopped (50k debts)and cannot ask anyone for a loan (parents lent us 1000 for deposit on rented house and would not let us pay back and will NOT ask again). Will have to declare bankruptcy in the next few months as keep expecting bailiffs to knock on the door - have seen a debt counsellor and this is their advice but cannot afford 950 to declare it!!!!

We work so bloody hard and are in the most shitty situation that I feel like I must be dreaming it.

Know it is very wrong to do this, was brought up that you have to work and earn your money which we are doing!! Was thinking we could do this for just a few months until we have enough to pay the council tax and my MOT (will have to drive round without one and therefore insurance invalid and a law breaking again). After all we will still be paying more tax than we will get back.

For obvious reasons cannot speak to anyone in RL about this so will we go to hell/prison for this? WWYD in our situ??

Oh dear, I am sorry it's come to this for you, give us some more information and we'll see if we can find a legal way out.

Oh god, I defo wouldn't do that, even though you are in an awful situation. I have got into enough trouble for declaring a change of income as soon as it happened and housing benefit being slow on the uptake, actually fraudulently doing it would make your situation so much worse.

Oh, gosh, how awful fo ryou.
I totally understand the temptation, but do not go there. You can't cheat Da Man. He always wins.
Hope fully soemone with more expertise will cpme along soon.
I would suggest the CItizens Advice, but sounds like you have already gone htere?

Are you sure you're not entitled to more help anyway? You have had a really rough time of it.

it will come back to bite you on the bum

am sorry things are so hard but would go to CAB and get some advice

you won't be the only people in this boat (unfortunately)

Yep - have gone over our options again and again and we are totally stuck. Our only long term option is bankruptcy but can't do anything in the short term and cannot include garage bill in it!!!

You must be entitled to tax credits anyway, i doubt you;d have to lie to get it !

can't you do bancrupcy /IVA now?

Yes - 40 quid a month.

Is there a credit union in your area where you could borrow money on reasonable terms until you are properly back on your feet? See this?

Ok, you don't want to ask for help from parents, but you really should borrow/ask for some to pay your council tax bill- If you don't this could mean a jail term in the long run.

Your rent is being paid, as you explained, and it is important to keep this up as if you lose your home from non-payment of rent you will have intentionally made yourself homeless, and nobody will help you in that situation.

As for verything else- if you haven't got it, they can't have it! Ring all of your creditors and tell them that for the foreseeable future you will be making a nominale payment of £5 per month. Then readjust your standing orders accordingly. They will argue over this, and you will have to send proof of incomings and outgoings, but they will have no chhooice but to accept in the end.

This will give you some time to get back on your feet, and possibly get another job between you. My husband had a pub job for over year 3-4 nights a week when we were on our uppers. He was tired, but the bills were paid.

Sell anything you don't need on Ebay- save the money to declare bankrupcy if you think this is the best option. Cancel Christmas etc.

But whatever you do, DON'T committ fraud- it will NEVER be worth it.

Good luck

Can't afford to go bankrupt, costs 950 or 975 something!! Cannot pay 550 quid garage bill either!!

wow - I'm sorry you're in such a shitty position. Just to say, I went bankrupt last year and it only cost a hundred pounds-ish - are you sure it's £950 for you? The only way around it is if one of your creditors forces you into it, then you don't pay. I hope things improve for you, but not sure you want to be committing fraud, be worse if you both ended up in prison.

Sounds like you are quite likely to be entitled to housing benefit/ CTax benefit. Doesn't hurt to try. Let CTax dept know you've applied, as it will get them off your back while they pocess the claim.

Are CTC working on last years income figures? if this year looks like being less give them a predicted figure, and keep updating them iykwim.

don't do anyrhing illegal....it sounds a disasterous route to go down.

Do you have credit cards? Take cash out to pay for the bankruptcy. People actually do this out of desperation.

Is there any work at all you or your DH can do, even if it means working away from home for a bit or something? My BIL fell on hard times but got a HGV licence through some scheme so he can always make money driving now.

Could the CAB offer any short term advice? Feel for you it must be so difficult.

Please dont do this ,my sister works for the benefit fraud dept and she has to interview lots of young families for doing what you are
considering, they will not make allowencs for you .

I hope you manage to sort it out but I would not even consider it.

just want to say i've been so skint i've considered it too...

even with extra tax credits, you're not going to get hundred of pounds for fixing your car though... can one of you not give the other a lift/get the bus to work?

have you got anything to sell? jewellry, dvds, computer games etc?

would the garage consider paying up the cost of work weekly/monthly? do you know anyone who can fix cars?

Actually just seen that you can't get credit.

The Council won't make you bankrupt for non-payment of Council Tax as you don't own your house but they could well give you a lot of hassle. Do you owe money to HMRC by any chance? They love making people bankrupt.

No nothing is worth commiting fraud for as you will end up worse off when found out than you are now.

also in regards to council tax, you'd be better off if the council pass your debt on to collectors because you can pay off less per month. you'll have more to pay at the end of tax year but at least you'd have more time...

You can apply to have the charges waived for bankruptsy, i'll find some more info.