help! Confused : letter fromTax Credits "Specialist Compliance Team"??

[BEAUTlFUL]

I've just received a letter from the Tax Credit office's "specialist compliance team" which looks pretty standard, except that it is going on about how "you are claiming as a single person but lots of people don't tell us about their partner".

It says they check 1000s of claims every year and I sgould call them to make sure my claim is right before they start checking?

I claim Tax Credits as a single Mum. My ex lives in a different house down the street, we are divorcing in April 2011 (after 2 years' separation). He gives me £300/month maintenance towards the kids. We have drawn up a Separation Agreement legally, we are not getting back together.

I tied to call but they're busy every time - is this a standard letter or do they think for some reason I'm living with my ex and claiming illegally?

I received one of these letters in December last year, just before Christmas. It really got me worried as my ex is still on the mortgage, and has occasional mail coming to my address. I called them and was asked a lot of questions, regarding my job, salary, childcare, etc. Then I was also asked about my relationship with my ex, and if I received any mail for him. I explained that I did (but it all goes in the bin...), and that we do have mortgage in joint names (I'm not selling the house now as the interest rate is veeeeeery good on it, and I wouldn't be able to afford a different mortgage now). The gentelman on the phone sounded like he understood my situation. He said he was satisfied and no further action will be taken. I received a letter a couple of days later just to confirm my entitlement (but the amount of TC hasn't changed).
I think the key is 'be honest', don't tell them that you don't have any connections with your ex if you have (like joint mortgages, car insurance, etc) as it will be shown if they do credit check on you.

I dont think theres much they can do, if you tell them you have links to your ex, you have kids then thats going to happen in most circumstances anyway. If its a way to check fraud then they're making more work for themselves, i don't think it'll solve much fraud. Lots of people have different people linked to their address.
You could be runn ing a brothel for all they know lol!

I have had a letter too, from the Specialist Compliance Team. My daughter and I actually live with my employer! not as a couple though. He has a partner and is engaged. I'm wondering how I can prove that we are not together, as in sleeping together! i pay my own bills. i just look safter house as he is away alot and do his ironing, cooking etc.. How can they satisfy themselves that we are not a couple!?? I agree the letter has a treatening tone to it and is extremely worrying. makes me feel im on dodgy ground, we are happy here and I am a LONE parent. my childs father is on incapacity Benefit and pays me nothing..what a worry!!

has anyone had a letter form this department asking for copies of bank statements/pay slips etc?

i've had one and phone to confirm genuine - again i was told that this was a generic letter sent to a 'dip' sample of claimants. i've nothing to hide but did put me on edge a little

I recieved one on sat saying that there records show that my ex was living at my address which he was 6 years ago when he lived with his mum which he had since he was born but then decided to buy a house ya see i live with his parents but moved in after he moved out they help with child care and support me while i work they are demanding my pay slips and bank statements and prove that my ex dont live at that address i have not got a problem with sending my details but they asked loads of personal questions and made me feel guilty for something i havent done im really worried that my money will stop because after speaking to the rude lady on the phone i asked what will happen with my claim this year and she said she would decide after i have sent the information that they require has any one else been in a similar situation?

i had one last year which asked me to send proof my kids were livin with me and dh? like drs appt letters, letters from childrens centre, medical cards etc

weird...

I got a letter yesterday accusing me of still living with my husband and claiming as a single person. It gave me one month to send originals of bank statements, bills, mortgage agreement etc etc. I have not lived with my husband since we separated and my claim began. We are getting divorced and have our decri nisi and are going to court on June 28th to sort out our finances. All my bank account statements etc are in my form e with the court. My concern is that my soon to be ex husband pays no maintenance to me instead he pays mortgage and utility bills as I cannot afford this. We are selling the house and some of my exes post still comes here. I have notified dvla etc but I still get letters for him I'm terrified as my letter stated that payments may stop and I may have to pay back nearly £8000 which I simply cannot do. I made my claim honestly. Have never lived together since separation but the joint mortgage and utility bills thing concerns me. Anyone got any feedback?

I think the utility bills may be a sticking point!!

But that is just how we arranged the maintenance until our court date - I have never been so stressed!

is it all in his name too?

if he's giving cash for help or paying bills then i know they think its 'dodgy',but you may be abloe to just explain it anyway and they may have heard this kind of situation before

Spoke to HMRC today - all resolved if I simply send in decri nisi paper work - sleepless weekend not necessary! Xx

im a dad who just applied for tax credits iv been compliance checked taken a week so far all documents now sent awaiting result though the guy i spoke to said that he will be clearng for payment on reciept of council tax bill bank statements 3 wage slips and contract of employment hope this helps calm some worries folk may have ,,, kinda weird being a dad on mumsnet but you guys helped me by posting and iv now done the same ...i hope ...lee

Hi does anyone have a telephone number for this team!