I've messed up and don't know what to do

[Onelastgo22]

Hi everyone,

I'm hoping for some help. Dh and I seperated last year and he moved out in July.
We have a joint claim for child tax credits.
I forgot to tell ctc that he moved out. I've been reminded as I got a reminder to submit his final end of year earnings for 2020/21.
It turns out he lied to me about what he was earning (to keep it to himself) and as a result, we have been overpaid by quite alot and what I receive has been reduced by £300 per month! I am screwed until I find full time work, which I have been applying for.
I don't know what to do now. He gets a permanent address in the next few weeks.
Do I tell hmrc he left in July and face the consequences or do I tell them he left when he gets his permanent address?
I am worried that they will investigate me or take me to court for fraud as I will lose my job.
Any advice would be much appreciated.

I really hope not. I'm going to call them this morning after the school run and hope for the best.

I also did a cm calc last night and no, despite my dh thinking he is very generous, he is not paying the min cm and has dropped it even further in light of his upcoming move and that's just based on his declared income. He has cash on top of that but I'll never see that.

I have been trying so hard not to rock the boat with him, I don't even know what to say to him at this point.

After you've called the tax credits helpline, call the CMS and go through them.

You should also put in a claim for UC today.

How did you get on @Onelastgo22?

Actually l have had this many years ago. Don't forget if it was a joint claim. Your ex is liable to pay back half the overpayment. It was a nightmare to sort out but they only took back half the overpayment from me. Chased him for the rest. I'm not sure if he paid it.

@Onelastgo22

I realise now that i should have claimed uc.

As I said, I'd hoped we would have worked things out.

I lost my dad a few months before he left, the my lovely nanna had a terminal diagnosis and has since passed.

I've been left with 2 additional needs kids and a home to look after and an almost full time job.

I know it's my own fault, but I have barely tread water over the last 18 months. Admin was the last thing on my mind and now, I will probably be heavily punished.

I wish I had never claimed at all.

Sorry to hear about your dad and nanna, OP.

Do either of your children get DLA? If they do, and you spend 35 hours pw caring for them, over and above the care they would need if they didn't have additional needs, make sure you answer "yes" to the question about caring responsibilities when you make your UC claim.

You'll be entitled to the carer's element, which will bump up the amount you get. Unlike legacy benefits, you don't need to be getting carer's allowance to get the addition.