Tax credit examination

Rhonda

Hi

I wonder if you could please help me?

I have been asked to send lots and lots of documents in for a HMRC tax credit investigation.

I have called to ask what it's about and have been fairly unhelpfully told that I can be investigated at any time.

I had a very severe illness last year and as a result moved house, fairly dramatically but within the UK, to be close to my family.
My marriage had been rubbish for ages and the illness plus the move was the end point for us.

My ex remained where we used to live and lives and works there very happily.

The advisor was very unhappy that I don't have an official separation document. TBH I thought that everyone simply waited their 2 years nowadays and that the separation through the court was defunct.

He was also unhappy that I do not get paid any maintenance by my ex.
My ex won't pay maintenance as he says that it costs him about £450 to see the children every month (probably does) and that is the money that he would have been paying me had I not chosen to move.

I want him to have a relationship with the children.
I know it has been really hard on them all. I'd rather we were a bit worse off but everyone got along rather than leave him too skint to travel to see the children

HMRC are asking for my car insurance to see if I allow my ex to drive my car when he visits the children
They also want my telephone records

I suppose my question is, whatever for?
I've never claimed benefits before this and am completely confused not only by the huge wealth of information required but also by the very strange manner of the advisor
Please help!

zagfles

I take it you are claiming tax credits on your own and not as a couple? Sounds like they suspect you of still being a couple. The rules surrounding whether you are a couple or not are very woolly, but would include things like shared finances etc.

Rhonda

Oh thanks
No he has his own bank account and so do I
He has never contributed to anything here. I pay all the bills etc etc.

Rhonda

I'm completely non plussed by the manner in which the advisor was speaking to me.
It was as though he felt he needed to check into every detail of my life. The need my children's birth certificates for the second time. Child care provider contracts receipts again. Bank details work details
All utilities
All bank accounts
He was very judgmental and seemed to really doubt the very honest information I was giving him

What are they searching for??

Lovelamour

They are obviously just checking if you are single or a couple. As they are obviously giving you money they have every right to do that.