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Original poster

Tax credit check letter

194 replies

Jellybeans24 · 14/01/2020 13:52

Hi I recently got a letter about my tax credits saying they are checking my claim and they want information from April 2019 to July 2019 Basically they have asked if me kids dad is living at my property and they named him on the letter he doesn’t live with me but sometimes sleeps over we had our 2nd child together last year we just don’t get on when we live together hence why we live apart

I pay all my bills etc so everything is in my name but he does get letters sent to my address as his mam opens his letters when they go to hers even thought she shouldn’t. But I’ve got all my proof that he doesn’t live he but I’m only worried because they have asked for bank statements but we always transfer each other money he does give me money for the kids but he isn’t the best with money so he gives me money to keep for him then I put it in my savers and transfer it back to him when he needs it.

Do I tell hmrc all this and will they understand or will they stop my tax credits?

OP posts:
Jellybeans2224 · 15/01/2020 20:04

so is she playing the system by doing that? But I suppose you accept her doing it as you will be getting your rent :)

PurpleTigerLove · 15/01/2020 20:04

Flirty - you don’t have to but if you’re in a relationship with a man and have several children with him , it’s really not the taxpayers responsibility to feed and clothe them . By all means do whatever the hell you want , if you’re paying for it yourself . Any wonder we have a housing shortage , they’re all massively under occupied.

onceinawhilex · 15/01/2020 20:05

@PurpleTigerLove you sound too involved in other people's business. Just worry about yourself and leave your tenants alone

Jellybeans2224 · 15/01/2020 20:06

100% true just being made to feel like a bad person when I’m not

Soon as I go back to full time I won’t be getting tax credits like I never with my first. It’s only for the past year and a bit I’ve been part time.

mummaaw · 15/01/2020 20:08

You are not committing benefit fraud wtf is wrong with people on this thread
You can claim as a single parent as long as you live on your own Which you do
My partner used to live at his mums and payed her £400 a month rent how on earth would he of payed my £725 rent as well. We lived separately which meant we had separate bills, separate food, separate everything so why people are lying on here I don't know

PurpleTigerLove · 15/01/2020 20:09

In terms of benefits I don’t actually care what my tenant does , it’s her home as long as she pays the rent . We’re not about to throw a young family with four children out on the streets.

You are playing the system so just own up to it . Those defending you are without doubt , doing the same thing . Enjoy it while you can . Roll on UC !

ScabbyBabby · 15/01/2020 20:10

You’re not really living together for tax credits purposes if he isn’t contributing financially to the household.
Just be honest. If you’ve only recently got back together and he has only been visiting to see the children they will be understanding.

If it’s a compliance interview that means they don’t have any evidence so they’re relying on you to tell them. Just be honest.

If you’re together now they will suggest him moving in and making a joint claim.

PurpleTigerLove · 15/01/2020 20:11

Oh mummaw does the same thing . Imagine !
The solution would be to live together and pay the £750 rent out of your joint wages . Oh no wait , you’d have to get a job !

Jellybeans2224 · 15/01/2020 20:11

So your a hypocrite then, one rule for one and another rule for another aslong you get your rent which is probably paid by housing benefit so your not helping the taxpayers either are you

mummaaw · 15/01/2020 20:12

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mummaaw · 15/01/2020 20:13

If it was someone who isn't the kids dad and you don't live together does that mean they would have to feed your kids and pay your rent. No lol 😂

PencilsInSpace · 15/01/2020 20:13

When someone is investigated for living with a partner while claiming TC (or another benefit) as a single person, HMRC look at the whole situation and make a decision on an individual basis, taking several factors into account:

Do you live in the same household?
Do you have a sexual relationship?
Do you have shared financial arrangements?
Do you have a stable relationship?
Do you have children together?
Do you present yourselves as a couple in public?

Child maintenance is not counted as income for benefit purposes, whether you get regular payments through CMS or he turns up once in a blue moon with a bit of cash from goodness knows where. Or anything inbetween.

I can't see that you have done anything wrong. When you claim TC or another benefit you not obliged to prove that you are not a couple, as long as you are honest about your situation and provide any information that is reasonably requested to make a decision on your claim. You haven't hidden anything from them. The decision maker now seems satisfied with the information you have provided.

If HMRC decided you were living as a couple you would not be prosecuted for benefit fraud, your TC would be stopped or adjusted and you may get an overpayment, which may or may not be recoverable. You could then challenge the decision through the normal route of mandatory reconsideration and if necessary appeal. The onus would then be on HMRC to prove you were living as a couple.

Jellybeans2224 · 15/01/2020 20:13

@PurpleTigerLove you are a joke 🤣🤣

mummaaw · 15/01/2020 20:14

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PurpleTigerLove · 15/01/2020 20:14

I have no idea how she pays for her rent , she pays it into our account . We provide a service and are being paid for it . If she claims HB that’s between her and the benefits office .
Would it be better not to let people on benefits live in our property ?

Jellybeans2224 · 15/01/2020 20:14

Thank you @PencilsInSpace

mummaaw · 15/01/2020 20:16

@PurpleTigerLove I have a job and pay all my rent also 😂😂

PurpleTigerLove · 15/01/2020 20:16

@PurpleTigerLove is just annoyed COs she can't get a bf at all let alone live with one lol

That’s exactly it . How did you know ?

mummaaw · 15/01/2020 20:17

@PurpleTigerLove the same way you seem to think I don't have a job Hmm

Tatty101 · 15/01/2020 20:18

I think the point some postere are trying to make is what is your partner doing with his wages? Does he pay his Mum rent? If he's living the life of riley and you have to claim benefits to make ends meet, that seems a) unfair on you and b) not really fair on the taxpayer.

I'm glad you got the technical stuff sorted with HMRC. It may be worth reflecting on how much your partner is sharing the financial burden of your children.

mummaaw · 15/01/2020 20:18

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onceinawhilex · 15/01/2020 20:18

@PurpleTigerLove what a hypocrite! You are happy for your tenant to claim whist you say she has partner living with her, but if you 'grassed' them up you would stop getting paid so it's okay then ShockShock

Jellybeans2224 · 15/01/2020 20:21

I didn’t say that but your just a hypocrite if she is apparently doing what you say she is doing.

PurpleTigerLove · 15/01/2020 20:23

What an intelligent argument mummaw!
I said my tenant moved into our house as a single parent, are we supposed to evict someone with 4 young children? Seriously ?
If she gets caught then it’s on her head not mine . I’m not the one committing fraud .

PurpleTigerLove · 15/01/2020 20:24

I would be a hypocrite if I was doing what you’re doing .

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