tax credit asking for proof...

lvdiff

Hi, Wondering if anyone could help me I am at my witts end. ((Long post grab a cupper before reading !!!)

I have been claiming TC & WTC for almost 3 years due to breakdown in my relationship. But in last 18 months things have become complicated.

I was with my ex for 13 years before we split. We have remained very good friends and he was involved very much with our 2 children. We did everything amicably it wasn't bitter, I didn't use the children as a tool, CSA never needed to be involved as we came to an agreement with maintenance. We also agreed as the only asset we had jointly when we were a couple was the car now neither could afford to pay other off we didn't want to sell it as would get naff all for it but its a good little car so I remained on the policy, I never really used it and I wouldn't be bitter as he needed a car for work I didn't.

18 months ago my youngest was diagnosed with autism and with appointments I had to attend I ended up using the car quite regularly so would chuck him some money towards petrol and paid for the tax on the car just so I felt I was contributing in any way shape or form after all why should I get a free ride petrol and wear tear MOT service tyres etc is not cheep.

then 6 months ago another blow my eldest was diagnosed with a lifelong illness meaning more hospital trips etc my dad purchased a vehicle for me but because of both children we decided that if anything should happen to the other car we decided to have each other named on each others policy just to keep everything above board in terms of insurance.

Now due to BOTH children having special needs and requiring extra attention my ex there dad has become more involved than what was originally set out he could see I needed help I'm not supermum also my mum confided in him that she thinks I'm depressed. he been spending a lot of time at my house (he lives in a shared house so is not practical for them to go there for a couple of hours)

I received a letter from tax credits last week stating that they have noted that I have a partner living with me and I am due to pay back all of what I have received. They have asked for all my bank statements, insurance, council bills, utility bills, rent agreement etc etc... I feel like I am a criminal I cannot send council, utility bills as they are not in my name (I live in my dads house who has a job in the US he pays everything) I don't know where he keeps all this info nor do I have the permission to send to prove. The only way I can actually prove he is not my partner is if I set up CCTV footage 247 which will show him coming and going that he does not help with any choirs does not eat or sleep here, I don't socialise with him, we live completely different lives him visiting is purely for his children nothing more.. but my circumstances sound so dodgy on my car insurance he is th 3rd or 4th named driver, My Bank statements show that he has been paying money into my account (as child maintenance fixed amount each month) there has been times if he is short of money I have transferred money into his account and he has given it straight back to me on pay days (after 13 years I completely trust this man and like I said it was not bitter split we drifted apart)

This has completely sent me sinking so low now as if I haven't enough to deal with I've cried non stop the thought of being in crippling debt and if I am convicted of fraud I can forget about my PT job I will be sacked instantly all because I was being a "perfect" ex, I don't know HOW they have noted that I have a partner the only thing I can think of is some of his post is coming here as he has not moved it due to being in a shared house didn't want his mail in the wrong hands and why would it bother me it's not my house and he doesn't live here if they came over or watched they would see this I have nothing to hide.

Any help from anyone I would appreciate so much!

SuziQ

Does your ex have an address where he can prove he lives, pays rent etc? I think that would be important proof. If you have to give evidence to someone I would avoid giving as much information as you have here, as it can come across that you are giving a lot of info to deflect attention.If you can show your ex lives elsewhere it doesn't seem you have much to worry about, but I do know people who have had problems when they have had a lot of 'connected' stuff like you have ie Insurance, ex still having post delivered,lending each other money etc and this may be the time to separate all of that 'stuff' to avoid future problems. Don't put the cart before the horse, you already have yourself tried and convicted!-someone will be along to tell you what you should do next and good luck.

lvdiff

I don;t as it turns out, He lives in a shared house now when I saw the letter I thought ok he's bound to have rent letter or some sort of proof but the owner doesn't have "lodgers" she has friends who contribute towards food bills as her mortgage is not buy to let and house insurance would be ok something to that extent.

They have asked for EVERYTHING I know I have absolutely nothing to hide I just assumed if I was ever investigated then someone would watch the house see that he comes and leaves.

Orville

lvdiff wrote: »

I don;t as it turns out, He lives in a shared house now when I saw the letter I thought ok he's bound to have rent letter or some sort of proof but the owner doesn't have "lodgers" she has friends who contribute towards food bills as her mortgage is not buy to let and house insurance would be ok something to that extent.

They have asked for EVERYTHING I know I have absolutely nothing to hide I just assumed if I was ever investigated then someone would watch the house see that he comes and leaves.

OK but could she not write a letter stating that he comes home every night and pays her rent. That along with letters that have his name and addy on should go some way i would have thought.

zzzLazyDaisy

It is very likely that someone (a neighbour or 'friend') has reported you for co-habiting while claiming as a single parent. It happens all the time.

You need to show proof that he has separate living arrangements.

Where does his post go to? What is the address on his car insurance? His driving licence? The car log book? Where is he registered to vote? Does he have any loans or credit cards - what address are they registered to? What address do his bank statements go to? What address does his employer have? What address does the tax office hold for him? Will his landlady-friend provide him with a letter confirming he lives at her address?

lvdiff

I'm sure she would but would they accept it?

I don't understand how anyone could have reported me as I am lone parent so reporting me to not being single when I am just doesn't make sense I don't have a partner all my friends and neighbours know this I don't talk about how much I earn what I claim I got nothing to be jealous about I don't walk around in designer clothes, have a nice cars the house have not been decorated in years there is nothing to show I am living an extravagant lifestyle like you see in papers someone living in london PS3 and plasma TV's mercs in driveways claiming for x amount of kids but not working!! usually this sort of lifestyle triggers jealousy so they will get reported.

Car insurance is in my address as that is the higher risk address was told this by the insurance company as they cannot put 2 address down so which ever one is classed as the higher premium amount thats where it should be listed.

Banking is at my address as when he tried to move it had no ID to prove he was at another address. every time they phoned I told them he didn't live here but they could not update due to data protection nor could they update his file.

He renewed his drivers licence at his Dad address with intent to live there but since moved in with his friend.

Registered to vote?? I haven't seen anything come to this address so I am assuming his dads? rest I don't know

janninew

Lots of people claim to be single when in fact they have a partner as they would be entitled to more benefits as a single parent than a couple would get.

It doesn't look so good that he is registered at your address for his banking and car insurance. Also having joint policies on your car insurance could look dodgy, from an outsider's view it does look like you are still a couple.

I'm not saying you are doing anything wrong, but for somebody who doesn't know your situation you can kinda of see why this has happened.

You just need to gather as much evidence as possible to shop your ex isn't living with you and pays rent to a landlady elsewhere.

lvdiff

I know totally agree thats why i'm feeling anxious of the whole thing yet you can still live in the same house as an ex to me that is strange but everyone circumstances are different. There is a guy in work who is still very involved with his ex she's on his policy she still gets letters or parcels delivered to his address they even go out together you would sware they were a couple yet they are not.

but if someone was going to blantly lie about where they are living would move EVERYTHING over and just hope they never get watched?

I've I'm honest with you I cannot lie to save my life I would never make a poker player or be asked to cover for someone!!

My only hope is that they speak with neighbours and friends but doubt they would go that far they see it as you said from an outsider it looks dodgy case close.

Darlyd

I think I would write to them explaining what you have explained here, perhaps ask for an accessor to come and visit you? Get kids gp to write a letter for you to also send along with your letter to prove the kids have been unwell hence why dad has been at yours more. And get his friend / landlord to also write a letter. Just explain everything, you have done nothing wrong so don't worry..

Some right darn jealous people out there that need to get a bloody life!

soolin

darlyd wrote: »

I think I would write to them explaining what you have explained here, perhaps ask for an accessor to come and visit you? Get kids gp to write a letter for you to also send along with your letter to prove the kids have been unwell hence why dad has been at yours more. And get his friend / landlord to also write a letter. Just explain everything, you have done nothing wrong so don't worry..

Some right darn jealous people out there that need to get a bloody life!

I am not sure I would be quite so re assuring to the OP , I believe she should be worried and should be looking at a way to actually sever formal arrangements with the ex if only to stop this happeneing in the future.

EX partners (EP) bank thinks he lives at her address, car insurance people and possibly the DVLA think EP lives at OPs address. If he formally lives there as far as those people are concerned that leaves EP needing to prove beyond any doubt that he lives elsewhere all of the time.

Unfortunately his casual arrangement is difficult, if he can get his landlady to confirm that he lives there then of course she would need to show she declares her income , and she may be reluctant to do that if that costs her benefits or makes tax due.

Is there anything else that shows him as residing at landlady's address, electoral register, HMRC or benefit office in his own name?

I had colleagues in a similar position and were found to be fraudulently claiming because official documentation was given some weight in determining where the partner lived. It is almost impossible to prove a negative , ie i do not live here, but it should be possible to prove a positive in that 'I live here instead', but if nothing confirms that new address then i think it might be difficult.

OP you need to go through everything, every bit of paperworlk you have. There must be something official that EP can use to show he moved out. Driving license TV license for instance?

soolin

Sorr to follow up my own post but something else just occured to me.

Can you clarify the position with the cars? There are two cars, both in your name and both showing as registered at your address, is that correct? Does your EP ever drive one of the cars more than you do, and more importantly if anyone has checked do both cars stay outside your house all the time. Are both cars shown as yours with you as the registered keeper and you as first named on the insurance?

If so how far away is the EPs lodging, can you show he pays bus fares to and fro all the time for instance?