Partner lied(?)about applying for universal credit?

[Scaredcar]

Long story short, I’ve been in touch with Women’s Aid, thinking I could finally think of something to leave or get on it at least(it’s been a long process for me trying to juggle everything; being ready and weighing risks and benefits while taking care of LO)and they reffered me to housing place where they informed me that my partner tried to apply for universal credit.

He hasn’t told me this. I haven’t lived with him whole time through years(there was short period when we lived separately)but we were in same household and we depended on him as I am not working yet. The guy on phone probably couldn’t share more but my partner tried to apply is what I know. I don’t know how this works, he does earn enough for decent flat and obviously crisis hit us all but we are still managing(or so it seems)and I think he must have applied possibly before this energy cost madness even started.

Recently I asked him to help me calculate some bus fares and which option pays out more considering how often LO and I travel and a bit later, he comes to the room asking for my ID. I’m like what for and he hesitantly complicates and ends up saying he wanted to try applying for universal credit. Unfortunately since we met I’ve trusted him with my ID so he has been opening cards over the years on my name since I assumed it’s for us to cover living expenses and for him to build credit rating, as he claimed so he got used to using my info without much question. This time I refused because I didn’t get a good feeling.

Why would he keep it a secret that he never tried to apply for it? I don’t want to let him try applying for it on my behalf or to check if I’m eligible just in case that messes it up later when I want to leave finally and also if he finds something else along the way(not sure what, I don’t think the guy for housing applied for anything on my behalf and all that but I’m clueless either way atm).

I’m just disturbed and a bit triggered by lying and feel like I’m missing something like an idiot.

Sorry, last part was”why would he keep it a secret that he tried to apply for it already?”. He even told me that same day, the time before when he told me that was when I found something about universal credit among papers/mail and I asked what is it he just waved it off and said something like”don’t know/not important, didn’t apply(despite me not asking if he did, if I recall correctly). That was few months before I was told by housing guy about it

Your post is a little hard to understand but I think the gist of it is that he has applied for UC as a couple which he does have to do if he makes the claim and you are a couple. This is because the form asks him who he lives with and his relationship to them.
This benefit is paid in to a named bank account to pay for living costs such as rent, food and bills. If he is spending the money this way and you do not financially contribute and you are a "couple" then he is doing nothing wrong.

If you do leave him then you can claim UC as a single person and they will cancel his joint claim.
If you live together but are not a couple and have separate finances then you can claim UC as a single person.

Question is why would he lie about that? It does not seem very important as you said but why intentionally say(twice)you never tried to apply when you have? And I think he was refused or the guy on phone said he wasn’t eligible. I don’t even know if he did it on my behalf or as a couple, I just feel like I’m missing something because he’s acting too suspicious about something so apparantley mundane

So he can pocket the money without telling you about it?

Because he’s a sneaky, parasitic prick who is more invested in what you offer him than what you need.

He's been applying for credit in your name and you don't know how much or what for??? What?!?!?!

This. Op, get those cards closed ASAP. This is a very precarious position you are in.

He is doing something wrong if the op is unaware he has applied in her name. He would have had to have ‘signed’ the declaration as if he is the op- that’s fraudulent. He would have had to have set up an email in her name, signed in as if he was her etc. Just because it’s a joint claim doesn’t mean both parties don’t have to agree.

If there were any overpayments created, advances taken out, op would be made jointly liable. It’s dodgy.

It probably didn’t work as op would have had to have attended at least one telephone or face to face appointment and he probably struggled to fake that bit.

@Scaredcar call UC and let them know so they can note that closed claim and find out what he has done.

Unfortunately since we met I’ve trusted him with my ID so he has been opening cards over the years on my name since I assumed it’s for us to cover living expenses and for him to build credit rating,

Insanity. What possessed you? Do you know how many cards he'd opened in your name? Is there any dent on these accounts?? Can you get them all shut down?

Cards he's opened
Debt

Op - could you sign up for a clear score account?
it’s free will show all cards / loans in your name as well as applications and if there are missed payments. And importantly the balance on all the accounts.

I assume you have a secure email address he’s unaware of? If not get one sorted out you need to start shutting him out of life online and in real life.

As for the “why” he’s done this:
-control
-financial abuse
-cause he’s scum

This the Feminism: Sex and Gender forum. You're in the wrong place and you won't get the replies you expect.

I'll report and get this moved to somewhere better for you.

Having cards in YOUR name cannot build HIS credit rating, only yours. It means that all those debts are in YOUR name and only YOU are liable to pay them back. He could have got YOU in thousands of pounds in debt and he can't be made to pay it back. You need to get those cards cancelled ASAP and find out how much debt you are in. It's a shocking level of naivety on your part.

It sounds like he's been taking you for a financial ride and lying to you for years. Underhandedly applying for UC sounds like another financial scam - he could have had it paid into his bank account and you'd never even know about.

Time to pull up your big girl grown up pants and start getting a handle on your own financial situation. Go back to Woman's Aid or CAB and tell them about the cards and UC application. And stop trusting what he says about cards/money - find out for yourself what the hell is going on!

Oh love, you really need to stop being so trusting of this man. Do you even know how many credit cards he has opened in your name, and how much debt YOU are in as a result? I think you probably need to get a grip on it ASAP. If you sign up with one of the credit agencies like Experian or Equifax, you can get a copy 9f your credit report and find out everything that has been taken out in your name.

It would have caused a delay if you then claimed with a view to leaving, as there would already be a claim in force - he'd get a heads up that something was afoot when they stopped payments or queried the change in payee/circumstances/new address with him and it could delay you receiving funds that could be used to escape.

Financial and coercive control is a criminal offence irrespective of your very real concerns about safety. Be very careful.