Can I claim tax credits as a single person?

LauraLou1982

Hello!
In the past I have had a joint claim for Tax Credits and then when the limit came down we were not eligible anymore.
Now I have seperated from my partner but we still live together and will do for the next few months. I rang tax credits helpline as I was told that I could claim as a single person even though we are still living together...the man I spoke to was really helpful and said thats fine, they understand sometimes you still have to live together for a little while and I could still claim as a single person, I needed to call back with my P60 though...called back this morning and after waiting on hold for 25 minutes spoke to a unhelpful man who has now made me doubt I can claim...he was asking are we definatly seperated, are my names on any bills, made me feel like I was making a fraudlant claim! He also didnt want to go through anything else, I could have just had a form sent out when i spoke to the nice man on Friday!
Can anyone shed any light on if its worth me filling out the form when it arrives?

Thanks in advance xxx

Dunroamin

Although you are able to claim in this situation I think that you need to be prepared to be closely scrutinised and not to be annoyed at this. As I'm sure you can see, the situation is comparatively uncommon and potentially open to abuse.

LauraLou1982

Thanks Dumroamin. I understand its probably not very common, its fortunate myself and my ex get on well and can live together for a bit for the sake of our little one...I think because the first one was so helpful I wasnt prepared for the second one!
There seems to be so many people having problems with TC with 'normal' claims though I am worried about making one now...even though its not a fraudulant claim I feel nervous about claiming if you know what I mean? Dont want to end up owing them lots of money as seems to have happened to people on here!

zagfles

Theoretically the first guy is correct, if you are separated then you can claim as a single person. But the problem is what proof can you offer that your are genuinely separated? The usual "proof" is one partner moving out, separation of finances etc.

Claiming as a single person is usually MUCH more financially beneficial than claiming as a couple due to the (IMO) stupid way the system is structured and the heavy bias against couples. So any couple could claim to be separated while still living together and get thousands more in tax credits and benefits.

If you want to avoid a potential load of hassle, I'd suggest waiting till he moves out and carry on the couple claim till then. Unless you can provide good evidence that you are separated now should they ask.

LauraLou1982

Thanks for your reply Zagfles. As far as I was aware I didnt think I needed to provide 'proof', the first gentleman I spoke to said that they understand sometimes due to practicailities someone cant just move out...I would leave it till I move out but I cant really afford too, I need to save the money to move out! What kind of evidence could I possibly provide though?
Oooh I dont know now, this all seemed so straight forward before...

FBaby

What are your arrangements in terms of making the separation official? I think single claims are considered acceptable on the basis of waiting for the sale of a property or the end of a lease. Its this the case for you?

LauraLou1982

Well its only a rented property and my name isnt on the lease or any of the bills...we are not really tied together in anything like that, except for having a child together. So in terms of making arrangements offical there isnt really anything to do...we are not married or anything either. I am staying for the moment to save some money to move out and for continiuity for my little boy, I dont want him to move from pillar to post, i want to wait till I have enough money to move somewhere else permanant. When I spoke to the two people at TC helpline the only one that mentioned anything like that was the second one who aske dif my name was on any of the bills...god I am confused now!

Dunroamin

So, apart from the fact that (I assume) you're no longer sharing a room, what changes have you both made in your lives and finances which could prove to the authorities that you're no longer LTAHW?

LauraLou1982

Sorry whats LTAHW?

HeadAboveWater

Living Together As Husband And Wife

LauraLou1982

Oh right, of course! None really to be honest, yeah we are in different rooms but we dont have a joint account or any loans etc together, we both paid different bills to cover the house bills/childcare and we havent changed anything as we are both still living there and there didnt seem any point in changing anything really? it was already quite seperate if you see what I mean...maybe I should call the helpline again and ask for more clarification?