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Original poster

Child Tax credit scary Letter~Confused

56 replies

passingcat · 14/02/2013 08:07

I received a letter today saying my child tax credit is under review because they have run a credit check and can see my X partner as still living here. He does still live here but we live as permanently separated (until we can afford a divorce) and I have always told them this. They themselves told me I could claim as a single parent if we were permanently separated but still living in the same house. We were forced to stay together due to severe financial problems with neither one being able to afford to move out. He pays me maintenance, which I use to pay food and some bills but he does pay some of the bills also. He eats, sleeps, washes and lives separate from me. Most of the bills are in my name except for the council tax which we never bothered to amend. I can't understand why they have pounced on me when they said to go ahead and claim in my circumstances anyway. My bank account is in my name but a couple of bills are still in joint names. Apparently we can now be in trouble for this? If he is paying the mortgage and some bills because he lives under the same roof but separated from me, surely they can see he would pay some bills? Has anyone got any advice on what to expect as I get a bad feeling even though we really are separated and they themselves accepted that without question till now? Very worried ty

OP posts:
5madthings · 14/02/2013 10:36

The op is right you can claim.as a single parent if you live together but have seperated.

Op the 'gingerbread' organisation for single parents may be able to offer advice.

The problem.is he has been paying bills? Instead of paying any bills he needs to give you money as maintenance and you pay that. I looked into this as do andi had issues (now resolved) and he was going to pay the mortgage but he would of had to give me the money and then i could do what i want with it ie pay mortgage but it would go down as maintenamce money.

Have you started divorce proceedings/ spokem to a soliceter?

Original poster
passingcat · 14/02/2013 12:27

Thanks for your help. I'm guessing then if he pays any of the bills from his own account ie: council tax it will be a problem? ty?

OP posts:
5madthings · 14/02/2013 12:31

Yes that would be a problem. He needs to give money to you and you pay i think.

SamSmalaidh · 14/02/2013 12:37

I would also ask them for copies of all correspondence they have had with you, and recordings of all your calls, so you have proof that they knew about you living together.

JaquelineHyde · 14/02/2013 12:48

He needs to live with you as a lodger and so will have nothing to do at all with any of the bills etc.

When I seperated from my (now) ex H, he lived with us for several months until eventually moving out into lodgings in another house.

I took over the whole running of the house and he remained as a lodger, I was able to claim everything I needed to as a single parent and a full time student and recieved all benefits as I would if he was not living in the same house.

Unfortunately passing you have not been living as a seperated couple. You have been living as a non sexual couple but still a financial couple and because of that you are not allowed to claim tax credits as a single person as they are based on finances and not whether you are a family or not.

I would put your hands up, be very apologetic, explain everything in writing and hope they see that this is a genuine mistake and just reduce your payments to re-pay any over payment. I would also change all of the bills into your name and ensure that your dh knows that he is there as a lodger or you hand it all over to him and you become the lodger.

HTH.

morethanpotatoprints · 14/02/2013 12:59

I don't know much about your circumstance, but I know about over payment as my dh is self employed and we were paid about 4k too much at one time.

Ok if it is a large amount and you can afford it they can and will take 40% off your monthly payment. This is the max they are allowed to take. If you can't afford the 40% they look at your existing finance and work out how much you will pay back.
Don't worry, they won't expect you to pay it all back at once and won't stop your existing claim.

RedHelenB · 14/02/2013 13:03

They will have to stop the claim if they decide she isn't entitled to tax credits as a single parent.

NotAQueef · 14/02/2013 13:16

the HMRC site says this- see below

You're married or in a civil partnership - and you're both in the UK

Make a joint claim - unless one of the following applies, in which case make a single claim:
? you are separated under a court order
? you are separated and this is likely to be permanent

Civil partnerships are the equivalent of marriage for same-sex couples.

Example of a joint claim

Pauline and John have been married for 15 years and have three children. They have grown apart and rarely spend time together. John eats most of his evening meals at the pub but still lives with Pauline at the same address. John occasionally gives Pauline money towards the household bills. Pauline and John have decided they will not separate until their children have grown up.

Pauline and John should make a joint claim as they are still married, and not legally or permanently separated.

Original poster
passingcat · 15/02/2013 03:09

that doesn't apply to me as we are permanently separated. I've sought legal advice but ty for all comments

OP posts:
WhoWhatWhereWhen · 15/02/2013 04:03

Go to your local CAB and get some proper advice, make sure you take any letters you have with you

snigger · 15/02/2013 04:57

Don't ignore the letter. Call the caseworker. Advise them to check notes, tell them you were advised to claim singly under previous guidance, and for the love of god appeal within thirty days or preferably make a formal complaint if they end your claim, on the basis of misguidance. Let the caseworker know you made the single claim purely on the basis of advisor guidance from the helpline.

Original poster
passingcat · 15/02/2013 12:49

hi, this is the criteria i was told to claim under as this is the situation...it does mention paying some bills jointly so if the bills are in his name or mine surely they will understand we are just trying to pay the bills...peopleare saying id some of the bills are still in his name they class us as still a couple which is seems very strange as paying a bill doesn't make people a couple, but anyway, thought to post this so people see the situation, ty for all those who chose to help and be kind about it.. it's not easy posting personal stuff to then get attacked..Example - living together, separated

A couple who are LTACP decide to separate, but one cannot afford to move out and the other refuses to because she owns the property. They no longer socialise together, cook/clean or undertake chores for each other, although occasionally one may do the others? laundry with hers to save costs. Each has her own bedroom/living room and stores toiletries/food separately but they share bathroom/kitchen facilities. The property owner continues to pay the mortgage and gets monies towards this and other household bills from her ex partner. Although they still share the same address, they should stop claiming jointly from the date they were no longer LTACP.

OP posts:
Original poster
passingcat · 15/02/2013 12:52

sorry i pasted the wrong one, that is for partners not married...here is the situation I fall under Example - married couple, separated

A married couple whose relationship has broken down continue to live in the same house as they are currently unable to sell it and neither can afford to rent or buy other accommodation. In the meantime they live separate lives, no longer socialise together and their friends do not consider them to be a couple. They continue to jointly pay some household bills but pay for their own food and other personal items. They haven?t yet started divorce proceedings but do not intend to resume living together as husband and wife. Despite living in the same house, they should no longer claim jointly from when they became separated in circumstances likely to be permanent.

OP posts:
HystericalParoxysm · 16/02/2013 09:31

I don't know why you're posting all this really, OP.
You are convinced you're in the right, so that's fine, no problem, explain to DWP/HMRC, not us. No use just getting uppity with other posters when they say anything to the contrary.

Original poster
passingcat · 16/02/2013 10:33

Because I'm confused over the bill side of things and wondered if others are in a similar situation who can offer advice. Sorry but I don't need your permission to post, if you don't like it, don't read it or answer. No right to dictate to me what I should do. I'm looking for support from non judgemental people in a similar situation. You obviously don't like supporting people and I ignore stone throwers and judgmental types. That is the trouble with sharing private details, you have to deal with the stonethrowers when all people want is some support. Good Day.

OP posts:
minibmw2010 · 16/02/2013 15:00

Basically your mistake was not to put all bills in your name, by allowing his name to remain on any (and by him paying them) you're giving him rights that a lodger just wouldn't have and that makes him a co-habitee whether you like it or not.

JaquelineHyde · 16/02/2013 15:12

passing Have you read my post?

I was in your situation, I have been where you are exactly. I shared this with you and offered advice, not judgement.

You ignored it, I presume because it didn't say what you wanted it to say?

I hope you get it sorted out and that tax credits are sympathetic to your mistake. I would however, drop the attitude you have at the moment to try and ensure this.

HystericalParoxysm · 17/02/2013 07:48

Passing, your thread originally caught my eye because I too have been in this position. I am not being 'judgemental'. Neither am I suggesting that you need my permission to post. I'm saying that so far you have been given lots of advise and information from others who have been in the same situation - but you have rejected all suggestions and insisted that you are correct. This would not be a wise way to approach the issue with the tax credits office. The decision makers' guides on what constitutes LTAC are available on the HMRC and DWP websites. Perhaps you would find those less 'judgemental'.

MummytoKatie · 17/02/2013 10:53

Do you know when the call was made where they said you were single. Usually when we call people about this type of thing we scribble on e relevant bill 12/9/12 10:32 Susie so if necessary we can say "but I called you at ..... And spoke to Susie and she said...."

Go hunting on old phone bills if necessary.

Have you spoken to a solicitor about the divorce? That would help.

My own experience is slightly different but my husband was once part self employed. Every time we phoned the revenue we got a different answer. So I'm not surprised there is a muddle.

screamadelica · 21/02/2013 10:44

Hello Op this is happening to me. My Dh moved out in Dec 11 he lived in a caravan whilst saving for a flat.tax cred..don't believe me and my money has stopped as of Jan. I have 3 children and we are living off handouts...it's now going to appeal. I have provided them with numerous pieces of evidence to prove he no longer lives here. He used this address for a mobile phone contract..this is why they think he lives with me???!!!! Our only financial link is that he pays half the mortgage. He doesn't give me any other money. I t the worst time I've ever had....I wish you luck op.

screamadelica · 21/02/2013 11:00

Reading your plight has made me feel less alone...they never said I had to provide any evidence when I changed to a single claim...this was when we were still under the same roof.. it's a big mess..
I would appreciate any legal advice from anyone whos in the know. Please

JingleMum · 23/02/2013 10:18

Passing screamdelica really sorry this is happening to you, must be awful. Can i ask, are you ex's claiming tax credits as a single person too? Also, how long ago did you start making the claim as a single person? Was it recently and they've looked in to you straight away? Or was it a while ago?

ProphetOfDoom · 23/02/2013 10:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

screamadelica · 24/02/2013 10:32

Jingle...no my stbxh isn't claiming anything. I made the single claim in oct 11..and was told as long as we were not living as a couple I could claim as a single . I even rang back to double check. He moved out in dec11 as it had become unbearable. He carried on paying half the mortgage and for the sky tv, internet. He hasn't givenme any money. But that was our aarrangement...it is these financial interactions that have caused the tax credits to run a check. We have no actual proof that he lived in the caravan for 12 months..he has now moved into a flat. The rules for claiming tax creds are so vague. Its just a mess. Thanks for the reply.

screamadelica · 24/02/2013 10:35

Matilda....thanks I just might do that. I have made an app with a solicitor for monday. So will know more then I hope.!!! Thanks again for your reply.