Tax credits claim as single person

[penny23]

I have today received a ltr from tax credit asking me to prove I don't have my hb living with me. As they have received info from a credit agency. And believe I should have made a joint claim.

My hb and I separated about 5 years ago and since we have had a court order preventing him from living at home as he might be a risk to children. Will this court order be the proof they want. We have also he'd regular visits from social services and police to ensure he isn't living at home.

He lives about 300 miles from us and pays rent as a lodger. And has some evidence to prove he lives where he lives. The only thing we have got is a joint account for maintenance payments. I have all my bills only name except mortgage which is joint and life insurance.

Help put my mind at rest that the court order is proof. He even books hotels when he has contact with children. He never stays at mine.

They will want you to prove it because his name is still on the mortgage. Would he be willing to give u a copy of his tenancy agreement, or a bank statement etc?

He doesn't have tenancy agreement as rents a room. He has got a couple of receipts for his rent from last year but his landlord hasn't done any recently. I am hoping that social services reports which state where he is living at various times will be proof.

Have been reading things on Internet where people have had their payments stopped as single person and am worried same will happen. There must be people out there going through same thing.

Worried sick as if I wasn't going through enough with the whole situation of all the social services thing. If my hb were living with me I would lose my children. That is not going to happen, children are my life. How can I make a joint claim if hb not living here, can't live here by law? Just because name still on mortgage. If I lose my tax credits I will lose everything.

I'm sure you won't lose your tax credits. He must have something official showing where he lives, eg a bank statement? He will also appear on the council tax bill for the address. Not sure about the SS letter, hoping for you that they do accept it but I'm certain it will be easier if you can prove where he's living as well.

Thanks for replying. I don't know about his landlord and council tax. Hb of sure that landlord has put him down on his council tax or electoral role. Even though his rent for the room is 400 per month with all bills included. He does have car insurance registered to his address that's the only thing I think. Thank you again for re

All you really need to show is that he is registered on the electoral roll for his new address. The joint mortgage would have flagged up that this was a possible fraud situation but it sounds as though you have plenty of documentation to demonstrate the claim is genuine.

Got the letter yesterday saying my tax credit award is under review and to ring the number on the top of the letter. Tried ringing the number all day yesterday and it goes through to a VIP messenger and asks for a mailbox number. I am really frustrated as tried all day yesterday, resorting to dialing the main tax credit number - only to be told that they will put a note on my file that I rang so that when the review team look at my file (when they decide to do that) they will see that I have rung.

After some thought I decided to ring the number provided but change the last digit (hoping that this would be an extension number of someone similar to the person I need to ring). I got through to a team who reviews tax credits but when I gave them my NI number and the name of the person who wrote the letter they said I would have to speak to the person on the letter but that they would email this person and ask her to call me. Still waiting.

Have tried the original number again today, but still a technical problem with it - not ringing.

So frustrating - need to get this sorted and find out what evidence they require - just feel like sending it off to them before I speak to them as this is ridiculous.

Electoral role for my address doesn't have hb on, council tax is for a single person, all utility bills are in my name - hb has said he has receipt for his rent but he thinks the landlord never registered him on the electoral role even though he has been with him for 2 years.

grrrrrrrrr

If you're having difficulty getting through I would seriously consider replying to the review team's letter in writing, quoting your NI number and attaching a copy of supporting documents like your council tax bill etc. Send it recorded delivery (costs a couple of quid) and keep a copy. That way it's on record that you have responded in good time, even if the phone-lines are a bit on the slow side.