Tax credits compliance team

[Drivingmecrazy1]

Hi I am having problems with the tax credits compliance team, my xp and I had a joint claim until Feb 2012 when we split up, opened a single bank account and moved into my mothers house ( which might seem strange but she is disabled and he is the named driver on her car so he needed to be whithin 3 miles of her house). Anyhow I got a phone call from tc in Preston in January of this year asking why I had not contacted them about the letter they sent me I didn't get any letter n told them this, it was then they informed me they where investigating my single claim status and I was asked send proof that my xp was not living at the same address. I asked what info they needed and sent a copy of his driving licence and a letter from his dentist which they said in a letter to me they didn't receive I offered to send them letters from my xp and my mum and other people and was told they couldn't accept this as it is third party info and could be written by anyone. I asked them about the info they had and they said my xp opened a bank account in February 2012 in my address I explained that because he had no proof of address at the time of openining account he had to use previous 1 and the other aspect they had was voters role I asked how this was possible as only me and my som where on the voters role when they checked the date of birth it was my sons. I asked again what info they held and was told in no uncertain terms that they could not give me info as that would breech the other persons financial data act. All the bills are in my name and I sent a copy of bank statements for the year they are querying and a copy of electricity bill, tv licence, and his wage slip, dentist letter, and driving licence again. They have now informed me I need to repay £1414 for 2011-2012 and £8544 for 2012-2013. I am completely stumped as I am now on ESA as I have a serious heart condition and had an ICD fitted last year. Any help would be much appreciated

Have they actually concluded their investigation?

Yes they sent me a letter saying they had concluded that I was not entitled to tax credits as a single person and I have now received letters from them asking to make payment on the amounts owed by me.

Then you need to appeal it. If you are within the time to do so ( I cannot recall off the top of my head how long you have).

If it helps what did not help your case was you providing his documents ( they should not have asked for them) a letter from him yes but not things that you would have no right to demand like driving license wage slip dental or medical stuff.

You may have thought it would help but it actually demonstrates a more than casual or friendly relationship because people don't just hand over stuff like that.

It sounds like in addition to the bank acc info they have he may have perhaps obtain credit or something financial on a formal basis with out your knowledge but using your address. Because usually one bank acc with a reasonable excuse for using the address if it was also changed at the first possible opportunity would not be enough to establish a financial link.

Even if he's just been randomly applying for catalogues or loans online but using your address would be enough to show a link.

My usefulness only goes so far as the actual investigation itself and I don't know enough about the compliance appeals to be much use with that but unless you want to be forced to pay it back you need to request an appeal in writing ASAP and get a appointment with cab or even try community legal advice ( that last one may be a no go as its funded by legal aid and the rules have recently changed but its worth a try)

Are you any good at reading through shit loads of very boring info because if you are

www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/ccmmanual/

This is a helpful read

But do it ASAP ( cab/ cla) as there is a strict time limit.

I think I understand what you are saying but when I asked what info they would need at the first point of call I asked if a written statement would be evidence enough they told me no that would not be considered as it would be third party and could be written by anyone so I would have to provide proper documentary evidence that he no longer lives at the same address and that I am financially independent. That was the reason I had to send in my bank statement and household bills. The guy also said the fact that he now lived with my mother who I still have contact with shouldn't prove to difficult for me to obtain proof.

They mean your documentary evidence not his. They can only request things from you that you have the legal right to obtain independently.

You having access to his personal official documents is a issue as it makes it look like more than a casual or child related connection.

No the guy I spoke to definitely said he needed document s for him with his name and current address on it as proof that he was now living at a different address and when I enquired what information they had to say he was at the same address they told me they were not able to provide this as it would be a breach of his rights under the data protection act. I have however compiled a letter and sent it to them today. I will let you know how I get on and thanks for the help.

Then you need to request a recording of that phone call. Because he broke the law.

And its a biggy not just a minor thing.

Click on the link I gave you and look in the section regarding requesting evidence. And report them to anybody you can its a serious serious breach panorama documentary type serious.

I Told the lovely people at the compliance Office I would do this. After leaving my husband earlier this year I had to submit a new single claim. After claiming tax credits over the last 4 years I was subject to a compliance check. I got the nasty letter (that is apparently a generic letter used to make people feel mildly threatened if they have been falsely claiming) and contacted my local womens aid office for help. They arranged for an emergency appointment at our local Citizens advice office within a week. The man from CAB asked me for information after gathering together (frantically as they only give you 3 weeks to get the information) wage slips, benefit awards, childcare contracts and receipts and a letter from my childcare provider highlighting that they have yet to raise invoices for July 2013, any other benfits, 3 years of P60s and utility bills and rental information. The CAB contacted the direct dial number on my letter and informed them that I was unable to find a couple of my wage slips and they confirmed that they only wanted information form April this year - not for the last 3 years as requested in their letter. My CAB person then gave me a list of all the documents that the tax credits actually wanted and I sent all of the original documents by recorded delivery on 09/08/2013.

I spoke to the office on 12/08/2013 and spoke to a really nice man who explained that the lady dealing with my claim was on her jollies but he would try to process my documents that day as I had been 9 weeks without money.

I spoke to the office on 13/08/2013 and they confirmed that my award had now been processed and to call the tax credit number on 19/08/2013 to find out about my payments - so I did and will be getting my back dated award tomorrow!!

I thought I would write this just to let you know that its not all that bad and I have read so many horror stories that I thought it was about time someone wrost something positive.

If you are a single mum looking for help then womens aid and citizens advice have been amazing and I would stronly recommend this action as it made what I had to do seem clearer . Big hugs to you all who are going through this too.