It's quite a long story but 2 years ago I was claiming income support and tax credits as a single parent, which I was, and was investigated by tax credits and dwp at a similar time but separately to each other.
I had an interview with dwp and I very honestly explained the relationship I had had with my ex who I didn't live with but it was complicated. They said they were happy with me claiming as a single parent.
Tax credits, rung me, a couple of weeks after my interview with dwp and I was now working full time. They asked me to provide 6 months of bank statements and asked if I had lived with the man i had been in a relationship with. The woman on the phone said once she has seen the bank statement and some copies of emails I offered to send which explained the situation better she would contact me if she needed more information. I was a bit confused but sent the copies and bank statements and figured I would either get a phone call saying everything was fine or I would then be asked to prove I had been a single parent during that period.
However I heard nothing for a couple of months and then received a phone call from this office saying I hadn't provided any evidence to prove I was a single parent, there were questions about a few transactions on my bank statements and the emails proved I claimed for a year as a single parent when we lived together. The decision was final and all I could do was appeal
They wouldn't discuss transactions they were referring to and wouldn't look again at the emails as they had read dates wrong (I checked) and said I had received a letter asking to prove I was a single parent and that the women who I first spoke to had spoken to me since.
I couldn't afford my childcare, had to leave my job and walk out owing the childminder her notice period. I was and am still devastated that I lost that job. And now owed them £12,500 as a result.
I requested a subject access request. They didn't send anything in regards to making the decision but shows they never wrote to me, a legal requirement when asking someone to prove they are claiming correctly.
I also found letters that my mp had sent on 'my behalf' as I was about to move in with my partner. I wasn't. We had just split up and I had not known about this. My local mp was good friends with my ex.
This is what sparked the initial investigation and if tc had have wrote to me I could have proved his address and everything before they stopped my money so I could have stayed working.
2 years later, the appeal is still ongoing, no one can tell me anything, I can't speak to anyone about it. I'm just told there is a long wait. They have decided I didn't live with him but I still owe them £3,500 apparently which is why the appeal is still open.
I haven't been able to find a solicitor who is willing to help and my Dad thinks I should speak to the media. But I just want it to be sorted as it's caused me a lot of stress and anxiety and I just want to draw a line under it.