Tax credits -received a letter about being in a relationship..

[moonfacebaby]

I received this letter today.

I have been claiming as a single person since my divorce, 6 years ago. I do not live with anyone (I do have a boyfriend).

A few years ago, I got a generic letter asking to prove I wasn’t living with someone. I sent all bank statements and everything else they required and it was all sorted.

I’ve been sent into a total tail spin with this letter. I’ve always understood it as you can claim as a single person as long as you aren’t living with someone. Now they seem to be saying that you can’t claim if you have a partner?!!

How is this even right? Yes, I’m in a relationship but my boyfriend certainly doesn’t contribute to bills or my earnings in any way. I work part-time (I have two kids & I teach in an FE college - I literally cannot find a full-time position in this sector, locally).

I can’t move my partner in - I have a Mescher order (ex is a high earner & pays the mortgage) which means I’d have to take on the mortgage if I moved my partner in. This is not possible, I’d never get a mortgage on my earnings, or even with my partner.

I am mortified - I have never claimed anything that I wasn’t entitled to and I’m a really honest person - I can’t bear lying. I can’t understand how they can appear to move the goalposts and then check to see if I’m telling the truth! What the hell has my relationship status got to do with them, when I don’t get any financial help from my partner?

I’m absolutely shitting myself - has anyone else gone through this in a similar situation? I’m currently getting pressure from my ex-h to pay the mortgage (just not possible & him & his girlfriend have a household income of over £170k, he has over £80k sat in his bank account - it hardly cripples him to pay me the amount he does. This works out at 3 days of his monthly income). He also lives miles away, so if I could ever even find a full-time teaching position, he NEVER helps out with drop offs/pick ups, or even a mid-week stay. I just cannot physically or mentally manage the workload of full-time teaching with two kids.

I’ve just received one and panicked as I do have a boyfriend of over two years. He comes over and I go to his etc. But he doesn’t contribute financially at all in any way. However. I just called them. And the man said it’s a generic letter that comes out every 4 months. First I’ve received in six years but hey! And no need to worry about it. X

Seems they're doing the rounds again then. I got one this morning.

I had one a couple of years ago and then one this week. My friend also had one. In relationship don't live together and does not financially support me and my DC. i ignored it

It does get me and though when it says if you are in a relationship you need to end up claim

I too received this letter...I presume they are doing the rounds
I have a boyfriend and we don’t live together. He has his own house where he lives with his son. I have my house and our finances are completely separate. He stays with me the odd night and vice versa I stay the odd night with him when my DD’s are at their dads. I still like my independence and enjoy nights on my own with my DDs- just us girls😊

@Choclover27 -when you rang tax credits did you just explain your situation to them? Did they ask you to provide any proof that you don’t live together?

Thanks 😊

I know the OP is over a year old but that letter is shocking, namely the the last bullet point that says if family or friends see you as a couple, wtf has that got to do with financial dependency?!

Because it's easy to be in a committed partnership but share no finances for the purpose of claiming benefits do financial independence is not the only factor that determine meeting the criteria for legitimate single claims. Being seen as a couple by others is one of a few indicators.

"One of the indicators", the letter makes it sound like hitting that indicator alone meets the threshold for ineligibility.

Mumof2and bumblingalong
He didn’t ask me any questions. Although I wanted to tell him and explain my situation!!! He Just said thanks for phoning in to tell me you are still claiming as a single parent ! Wasn’t interested at all !!