tax credits letter questions

MissHesman

not in this day and age I disagree....seems you cant help anybody without being questioned and hows having children anything to do with it?

shedboy94

MissHesman wrote: »

not in this day and age I disagree....seems you cant help anybody without being questioned and hows having children anything to do with it?

Because if your claiming as a single person then Tax Credits need to check that the male who claims to live there isn't the father or in a relationship with you - otherwise everyone would claim to be single.
The documents being sent there are documents that can be used as proof of address so it is an issue. Does all his mail come to you or just certain documents?

mildred1978

MissHesman wrote: »

not in this day and age I disagree....seems you cant help anybody without being questioned and hows having children anything to do with it?

The vast majority of people would assume that a woman with children
was straight. Hence if a male starts having important mail sent to an address housing a single female and her children, they are potentially having a relationship. It's not an unfair assumption.

MissHesman

well just goes to show what century most people are stuck in

Norfolk_Jim

Have you also been claiming single persons relief on your council Tax? That could work for or against you.

The problem isn't what century people live in, it's that plenty of people try and pull a fast one on the benefits system by claiming to be single when they are not. I know of one or two myself, it isn't that uncommon a fraud.

This puts the benefits people in a difficult position as it's not easy to tell the fraudsters from kindhearted people who help out friends by letting them sleep over once or twice a year and use their address as their own because they are of no fixed abode, through work or any other reason.

You will need to do whatever you can in order to show theres nothing fraudulent going on but you can hardly blame the benefits people for being suspicious when the things you have been doing are not dissimilar to things fraudulent claimants do.

Just so I'm not misunderstood - I'm not in any way saying you've been in any way acting fraudulently - How could I possibly know one way or the other - just wanted to point out that you may also face trouble ahead from the council tax people and urge you to get prepared, maybe take up the advise of some of the other posters.

And I thought that since civil partnerships came into force the issue of sexual orientation didn't really come in to it on any level, or am I badly mistaken on that point?

Chrissiew

I agree with Norfolk Jim, its got nothing to do with what century we are living in, its not an old fashioned thing for the TC dept to wonder if someone is co habiting because post from someone else goes to their address.

The way things are nowadays all benefits agencies have to be vigilant because there is so much fraud going around, Im not saying its the case in your situation OP but it shouldnt be a huge problem if someone can prove they are living on their own and its just post from another person going to their address. The person whose post it is should be able to provide some sort of proof, letters from his friends to say he is sleeping on their sofa, reciepts from hotels when he stays there etc.

In all honesty he should be doing what he can to stop you getting into trouble, not only with the tax credit office but also council tax, I doubt very very much if they would care if you were gay, straight or both, thats not their concern and wouldnt take that as concrete proof that you didnt have a man living with you, its their concern to make sure no fraud is being commited.

chirpchirp

I had the same letter. Mine was due to my ex-husband and myself being on the mortgage together. As he is registered at another house and is re-married it was fairly easy to prove. I appreciate your situation is much more complicated.

You need to write to the tax credit people and tell them you intend to appeal the decision as you have not been living with this person as a partner. You also need to contact the Citizens' Advice Bureau and your local MP.

I would also ask your friend to write a letter of support for you outlining under what circumstances he used your address and why. This letter should state that he was not supporting you and you have not been having a relationship. My understanding is that you would be within your rights to house a lodger in your property and still be entitled to working tax credits etc. You would however find that you wouldn't be eligible for single person rebate on council tax. I hope this helps, but I'm not legally qualified to give you help.

kerry13238

cant they check your bank statements ect

MissHesman

already done that Kerry and proved there is nothing financially linking us...tv license,virgin media,banks...nowt and thank you for your replies but it seems im going round in circles....give in pay back what they want have no job because need to pay them back and back on jsa