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Original poster

Child tax credit fraud

46 replies

starys · 05/12/2018 15:34

Hi everyone just wanted some advice really. I have been a single mother who worked and had my money topped up by child tax credits. I am very grateful for this as we wouldn’t have been able to survive without it. I used the money the way I was supposed to - looking after my kids which is why it makes me so angry when I see someone abusing it. There’s this woman I know who is claiming it - she is separated from her husband but he still pays for absolutely everything including her shopping!!! So this money she is getting from tax credits is basically just pocket money for her which she has been using on herself- having plastic surgery done and everything! It just makes me so angry to see someone use this money which I depended on to live in such a way. So my question really is is this benefit fraud? Do you have to declare if your ex is still paying for everything? Or is she just allowed to do this? Thanks c

OP posts:
MissMalice · 05/12/2018 15:38

Not necessarily. Child maintenance is not included as part of the calculation so if he says the money he’s giving her is that, she can claim tax credits on top.

Original poster
starys · 05/12/2018 15:57

That’s what I thought but it just seems so wrong. He pays all the bills as they are all in his name. Then gives money for shopping on top.

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 05/12/2018 17:15

I suppose its no different to men paying lots in child maintainence and it not affecting tax credits.

jemihap · 07/12/2018 06:15

The whole Tax Credit system is a complete joke, I know people living mortgage free in a house worth £300k driving new Range Rovers (all provided by mummy and daddy) and quite legitimately claiming Tax Credits because of the limited hours they choose to work.

Armchairanarchist · 07/12/2018 06:20

If he's paying all the bills it'll flag up as a financial link, unless he's handing her the cash.

Original poster
starys · 07/12/2018 11:26

I know it’s so unfair! Just seems wrong that she’s claiming the money and using it on herself like this 😕

OP posts:
Original poster
starys · 07/12/2018 11:27

He’s paying the bills not giving cash

OP posts:
Original poster
starys · 07/12/2018 11:34

Sorry he’s giving her cash for shopping every week but paying all the bills directly himself. She literally pays for nothing

OP posts:
CoachBombay · 07/12/2018 11:37

Unfortunately that's life. Some people just get a better "deal". Try not to think about it or get yourself worked up about it, it will only drive you crazy and have no effect on her.

It's a barmy system, but there's nothing that can be done.

gamerchick · 07/12/2018 12:15

He's financially linked to the house which isn't allowed and it will flag up eventually. Everything needs to be in her name and he needs to pay as CM.

So you can put your green eyes away.

Babyroobs · 07/12/2018 12:28

jemihap - Under tax credits people can also have large sums of savings and still get tax credits as long as they declare any interest over £300 as tax credits are only based on earned income. However under Universal credit the rules are a lot stricter in that any savings over 6k and your Uc is reduced and any over 16k it is stopped altogether. This brings things more in line with other means tested benefits. I agree the whole tax credit system is ridiculously open to people taking the piss because they can.

Original poster
starys · 07/12/2018 14:42

It’s not green eyes, I think it’s disgusting that people abuse the system like that and have the audacity to claim tax credits and just use the money as pocket money for themselves.

OP posts:
ineedhelpa · 08/12/2018 08:01

No it's not fraud she is a single parent claiming just like you. Don't be jealous just look after you and yours and don't worry about other people

YesMrsLevinson · 09/12/2018 17:31

I have been told that child maintenance affects Universal Credit.

movinonup · 06/01/2019 19:55

Child maintenance doesn't affect UC, Only wages earned will reduce your amount.

Bagadverts · 06/01/2019 20:56

I can’t see evidence of benefit fraud. OP it is probably best not to discuss benefit claims, how do you know that she’s claiming (or still claiming) tax credits?
Child maintenance does not affect universal credit or tax credits.

Spousal maintenance doesn’t affect tax credits but does affect universal credit, although it might raise issues as to whether they are genuinely separated.
On universal credit under other types of income here and tax credits here.

Shopkinsdoll · 06/01/2019 22:16

I don’t understand how this is allowed as he is obviously supporting her financially, the bills must be in his name. That’s not right. Child maintenance should be taken into consideration when tax credits are claimed.

Lovelife12345 · 07/01/2019 11:35

@Shopkinsdoll the issue with taking child maintenance into account for claims is not fair as a lot of woman find themselves where actually their ex husbands or ex partners pay as and when they want and there is no consistency. Even going through CSA it doesn't work for some people. So you would be expecting her to live without help from government, as they aren't particularly quick at changing entitlements.

Original poster
starys · 08/01/2019 09:36

I know that she is claiming as she is quite open about it and how much money she gets. She has no bills in her name plus he also pays for her shopping every week. Her wages from her job and her tax credit money is just pocket money for her. I know that you can receive child maintanence and still claim, my question was how is this allowed when she is being fully supported and paying no bills - literally has nothing in her name.

OP posts:
Original poster
starys · 08/01/2019 09:40

@Shopkinsdoll exactly! I don’t understand how this is allowed when everything is in his name. It just makes me angry that I genuinely claimed tax credits for a while and used mine to support my kids yet hers is just pocket money for her to have plastic surgery and go shopping on 😠

OP posts:
areyoubeingserviced · 08/01/2019 09:52

Starys- that’s life

Kikipost · 08/01/2019 09:59

Very wealthy ex here
I receive £2250 a month from him for two primary children and will do so until youngest 18. This is about 25-30% of his take home pay.

This is not included in tax credits and so I receive tax credits.

I certainly do not spend on plastic surgery.

I spend on keeping my children in the lifestyle to which they were accustomed to prior to our divorce.

Kikipost · 08/01/2019 10:00

However under Universal credit the rules are a lot stricter in that any savings over 6k and your Uc is reduced and any over 16k it is stopped altogether.

Exactly the same with tax credits. Exactly.

Original poster
starys · 08/01/2019 10:06

@Kikipost but do you have the household bills in your name? This was my main question. As I said before I know that you can receive child maintenance as well as tax credits but I would have thought that you would have to be supporting yourself with it! If all the bills are in your ex-partners name how can you claim?

OP posts:
HighsandLows77 · 08/01/2019 10:08

@starys would you like someone to buy you shopping every week? i’m sure if your DC father was giving you money in cash to support his child you would have still claimed tax credits. You sound very jealous.