Am I in trouble?

Kath3844

Am worried.
EX DP and I decided to split last may 2009. We ahve 3 kids(eldest aged 9 from my previous marriage)
We decided not to tell the kids just then as he had just accepted a job overseas and they were a bit wobbly about that, and we thought that telling them about a split wouldnt help them any.
I set the wheels in motion to claim child tax credit as a single person and not as a couple, and that was in place almost immediately.
EX DP came back at Christmas, and then decided to terminate his contract overseas, as had missed the kids too much.
He continued to pay the mortgage and all bills(as he had when he was away) and also gave me maintenance for the kids(I am unemployed) on the understanding that he would not be so generous when I was in employment(which I will be in Sept)
When he came back at Christmas he stayed here(we have 5 bedrooms and he slept in the spare room -which he had for a long time, so nothing unusual to the kids there)
He then got a job in London, which he has had since. He comes back every saturday morning to see the kids and goes back every sunday afternoon(still in the spare room)That has been since Christmas 2009
We ahve decided to try and make things work now, and I have rung the child tax credit people to say that I no longer want to claim as a single person, but as part of a couple. They asked me how I had supported myself in the time that he was gone and I told them the truth, CTC and Child benefit and payments from EX DP.
They explained that CTC would stop etc and they would be in touch.
Got in tonight and there is a letter from them. Basically asking for more info regarding any income or benefits I may or may not have been receiving.
I am worried because the forms reference is 'impCourt' - does that mean impending court???
I realise that I have been very lucky in that my EX DP/DP has been so generous. Nobody asked who was supporting me originally, and I really didnt see that I was doing anything wrong.
Was I?

I have visions of being chucked in jail and not seeing the kids.

DX2

Did you get Income support as a Lone parent? Did you declare the money your ex was giving if you were getting Income Support?

Kath3844

I didn't declare anything stupidly. Not purposely, but when they asked if I had any other income, I didnt for a minute think that income was anything but a wage paid into my bank by an employer.

Kath3844

I didn't claim inome support or housing benefit

Robbie64

what benefits were you getting? Was it only child tax credits

DX2

Kath3844 wrote: »

I didn't declare anything stupidly. Not purposely, but when they asked if I had any other income, I didnt for a minute think that income was anything but a wage paid into my bank by an employer.

You might not like what I am about to say, but maybe this is how the TC dept are looking at your case.

Your ex goes to work abroad, he still pays all the bills, the mortgage and gives you child support. Can you understand why it possibly looks a little dodgy?

Kath3844

Is the icon at the bottom of your page there all the time or just for me?
I am very worried about this to say the least and !!!! taking isn't gonna help me. I'm not feeling sorry for myself, just very very scared. Yes i was only getting tax credits. Am not 'up' on all these benefits. Have never claimed dole or any other benefit other than free prescriptions when I was pregnant.
I don't really know what to do. Have been sent this form and got til 7th august to send it back. Do I get legal advice b4 I fill it in? Solicitor? CAB? If I ring them I will just get all tongue tied.

DX2

Kath3844 wrote: »

Is the icon at the bottom of your page there all the time or just for me?
I am very worried about this to say the least and !!!! taking isn't gonna help me. I'm not feeling sorry for myself, just very very scared. Yes i was only getting tax credits. Am not 'up' on all these benefits. Have never claimed dole or any other benefit other than free prescriptions when I was pregnant.
I don't really know what to do. Have been sent this form and got til 7th august to send it back. Do I get legal advice b4 I fill it in? Solicitor? CAB? If I ring them I will just get all tongue tied.

It's there all the time and since you think I am taking the **** i will bow out of your thread now.

Kath3844

Am sorry DX 2. Please don't go. You sound so knowledgeable and I need help. I'm not very good at computer stuff, not very good at anything it would seem. Please help me.

tinkerbellisposting

Did you ever formally seperate?

Was it just something you decided between yourselves, so a verbal arrangement?

If the latter then it's a tricky one I feel.

As in essence he has just been working away from home but still paying the household bills and using it as his home on down time.

Would that not be classed as being a couple? Lots of people work away from home don't they?

Kath3844

Yes it was just a verbal agreement between us. How do people formally seperate if they are not married?
So really I would have been better off to get all the other benefits, like Income Support, Job seekers allowance etc? I didnt think I needed that so I didnt claim. I thought that as we were seperated that i was entitled to claim singly. He didnt want me to be 'on benefits' and didn't want the kids to suffer which is why he ontinued to pay everything by direct debit.