Letter from TAX Credits re credit check

dally810

Just had a letter today from Revenue&Customs, linking me with another adult at same address, this is true but we are not living as a couple although we do have joint mortagage, split into seperate shares legally, one joint bank acc that this is paid out of, and utility bills linked to the property.
They are asking about the link, as I claim as a single parent, this link is on credit search, but this has been the case for several years, there have been no questions in the past.
Phoned the T/C they told me they ahve sent lots of these out and now have a back log, for over a week, so they will call me back.
Help I feel I have done something wrong, when I havn't.

Parva

Did you actually tell them about your housing arrangement when you claimed? I'm pretty sure that they will view the fact that you live together and have a joint mortgage in a very dim manner indeed.

[Deleted User]

dally810 wrote: »

Just had a letter today from Revenue&Customs, linking me with another adult at same address, this is true but we are not living as a couple although we do have joint mortagage, split into seperate shares legally, one joint bank acc that this is paid out of, and utility bills linked to the property.
They are asking about the link, as I claim as a single parent, this link is on credit search, but this has been the case for several years, there have been no questions in the past.
Phoned the T/C they told me they ahve sent lots of these out and now have a back log, for over a week, so they will call me back.
Help I feel I have done something wrong, when I havn't.

It's not uncommon for people not in a relationship to have joint mortgages now days, many of my friends have brought house's together to get on the ladder and so did my cousin. I guess the big question is what kind of relationship you have with the other person?

If they are the father of your child you are going to have a battle on your hands

Icequeen99

Are you married? Do you actually live in same house?

I would suggest you seek some advice from a welfare rights professional as it is often hard to argue against credit data. It is best to get your arguments together now rather than waiting for it to have to go to appeal (if they find against you).

An adviser will be able to help you and know what things you should be pointing out to show HMRC that you are single, or they will confirm whether you should have made a joint claim.

IQ

baza52

check out the OPs other post https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/46000613#Comment_46000613
They are clearly a couple.

[Deleted User]

baza52 wrote: »

check out the OPs other post https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/46000613#Comment_46000613
They are clearly a couple.

Whoops! Oh Dear.

dally810

Thanks for all the advice, I have been doing some research myself, after the shock of the letter. My child is from my first marriage, I have no relationship with this person, it is a financial arrangement, I only own 25% of the property, and this was drawn up legally at the begininng, we have a joint acc for any household bills, this is for that only, I have my own accs for food, car expenses and child related stuff, we are not a couple, and have never benn married or have child etc together, it would be fraud to say I was a couple, and make a joint claim, as I am not.
I ahve been on another forum and there are hundreds of these letters being sent out, and advisors telling people they are commiting fraud without proof.

Anubis_2

baza52 wrote: »

check out the OPs other post https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/46000613#Comment_46000613
They are clearly a couple.

dally810 wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice, I have been doing some research myself, after the shock of the letter. My child is from my first marriage, I have no relationship with this person, it is a financial arrangement, I only own 25% of the property, and this was drawn up legally at the begininng, we have a joint acc for any household bills, this is for that only, I have my own accs for food, car expenses and child related stuff, we are not a couple, and have never benn married or have child etc together, it would be fraud to say I was a couple, and make a joint claim, as I am not.
I ahve been on another forum and there are hundreds of these letters being sent out, and advisors telling people they are commiting fraud without proof.

The poster baza52 has linked to a post of yours where you clearly stated "partner" so perhaps this is why you are being questioned.

baza52

dally810 wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice, I have been doing some research myself, after the shock of the letter. My child is from my first marriage, I have no relationship with this person, it is a financial arrangement, I only own 25% of the property, and this was drawn up legally at the begininng, we have a joint acc for any household bills, this is for that only, I have my own accs for food, car expenses and child related stuff, we are not a couple, and have never benn married or have child etc together, it would be fraud to say I was a couple, and make a joint claim, as I am not.
I ahve been on another forum and there are hundreds of these letters being sent out, and advisors telling people they are commiting fraud without proof.

dally810 wrote: »

Hi not sure if I am in the right place on the forum?
I have been considering a DMP for the last 12 months, but it has got to the point where I have no choice, due to intrest rates and cost of living going up. My total debt is about 27k, I have made an arrangement with MBNA and they have reduced my payments for 6 mths, but still have a Sainsbury Loan, and other CC's like Lloyds and Abbey, I have overdraft at the bank. I have considered a really helpful company to have my DMP with, they charge 35% first mth and second, then 10% monthly, I would have to ay 137.00 per mth into DMP, the debt is all in my name, my partner is not aware, and there is equity in the house so not worth doing IVA. I am looking for the best service, as I am getting really stressed dealing with it on my own, my main worry would be getting a CCJ issued, as our house is in joint name, so this is why I need a good company to look after me, if this should come about. I really need to get this sorted now, so I can move on again, and become debt free eventully

says it all

anguk

dally810 wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice, I have been doing some research myself, after the shock of the letter. My child is from my first marriage, I have no relationship with this person, it is a financial arrangement, I only own 25% of the property, and this was drawn up legally at the begininng, we have a joint acc for any household bills, this is for that only, I have my own accs for food, car expenses and child related stuff, we are not a couple, and have never benn married or have child etc together, it would be fraud to say I was a couple, and make a joint claim, as I am not.
I ahve been on another forum and there are hundreds of these letters being sent out, and advisors telling people they are commiting fraud without proof.

Do you share a bed or do you have separate bedrooms? You don't have to be married or have children together to be a couple, you can even have completely separate finances and still be a couple, in fact many married couples have completely separate finances.

If you have a joint mortgage and a joint bank account for household bills you're going to have a hard job convincing tax credits that you're not a couple. You may even be accused of fraudulently claiming as a single person if they think you're a couple.

NoBS_2

That's exactly what is going to happen anyway anguk if the OP cannot provide the info requested.

The letter she has received is part of the clampdown on single claimants with partners. A case will already have been opened, awaiting her response. The OP would be best telling HMRC if her "partner" is there to confess all now. It will be far easier for all involved in the long run.

They do not open cases like these lightly, they have to have a fair amount of evidence.