Benefit overpayment he never claimed

[Fraudyexproblems]

Hi all,

DH and I recently claimed universal credit as things are getting tight. Since doing so, we received a letter today stating he owes a few hundred pounds from a tax credit overpayment dating back 14 years, problem is, he never claimed tax credits. He did have a partner at the time but if she has claimed in his name he knew nothing of it, he was working full time on a good wage so not entitled to any benefit.

Obviously he is going to phone them after work to see what can be done, but if anyone can offer any advice it would be much appreciated.

We're really concerned this has been a fraudulent claim, especially with this letter being the first thing he's ever heard of this claim.

It sounds very much as though she made a joint claim without telling him. I'm ashamed to say I don't know where that leaves him. I work in welfare rights and damn well ought to know!

Even worse, it's so long since I helped anyone with a tax credits application that I can't recall if both of you have to sign the paperwork when it's a joint claim either.

I'll ask a colleague tomorrow, if you haven't got an answer by then, but there are some knowledgeable benefits people on here who post in the money section quite often, maybe ask for this to be moved there.

Thank you

Hi OP

I've NC'd for this but my hubby's ex did this - totally falsified their income, pocketed the money and they came after him for half of the payment years later as they wouldn't have been entitled.

We did a subject access request, verbal complaints and written complaints including fraud by ex etc. - it took about two years and he provided a statement of truth confirming that he knew nothing about it etc. In the end they agreed to pursue the ex for it (though who knows if they ever did).

Hope that helps - we had to threaten them to take it to an ombudsman/regulator in the end (can't remember which!).

Feel free to PM me if you don't get anywhere.

Hi OP

I've NC'd for this but my hubby's ex did this - totally falsified their income, pocketed the money and they came after him for half of the payment years later as they wouldn't have been entitled.

We did a subject access request, verbal complaints and written complaints including fraud by ex etc. - it took about two years and he provided a statement of truth confirming that he knew nothing about it etc. In the end they agreed to pursue the ex for it (though who knows if they ever did).

Hope that helps - we had to threaten them to take it to an ombudsman/regulator in the end (can't remember which!).

Feel free to PM me if you don't get anywhere.

Hi OP

I've NC'd for this but my hubby's ex did this - totally falsified their income, pocketed the money and they came after him for half of the payment years later as they wouldn't have been entitled.

We did a subject access request, verbal complaints and written complaints including fraud by ex etc. - it took about two years and he provided a statement of truth confirming that he knew nothing about it etc. In the end they agreed to pursue the ex for it (though who knows if they ever did).

Hope that helps - we had to threaten them to take it to an ombudsman/regulator in the end (can't remember which!).

Feel free to PM me if you don't get anywhere.

Hi OP

I've NC'd for this but my hubby's ex did this - totally falsified their income, pocketed the money and they came after him for half of the payment years later as they wouldn't have been entitled.

We did a subject access request, verbal complaints and written complaints including fraud by ex etc. - it took about two years and he provided a statement of truth confirming that he knew nothing about it etc. In the end they agreed to pursue the ex for it (though who knows if they ever did).

Hope that helps - we had to threaten them to take it to an ombudsman/regulator in the end (can't remember which!).

Feel free to PM me if you don't get anywhere.