Help needed with tax credits please

susie_1_3

I have been a single parent for a few years now and returned to work a year ago and have been claiming tax credits...I met somebody a few months back and he wants to take things further and maybe move in with me ..I am scared to enter into a relationship right now as had a bad one before but also worried if i said yes in a couple of months time how would my tax credits work ..I would still be entitled on both our wages but only a small amount compared to now..would i have to pay back the difference from last year and what i have been paid this year or would it just start from the date he would move in ...Any help appreciated

Anneliese13

I'm in a similar position except that I've come off benefits. I can't give you any specific advice as such but I would ring and ask them - several times -making a note of the time, who you spoke to and the advice given. Get confirmation of everything you have been previously told and if possible, tape the calls.

They're absolutely sick of me since I've been asking them questions for about three weeks now but I have an excellent record to back me up in case mistakes are made. And I have been given conflicting / confusing advice so it's well worth doing. I've read some horrific stories on this forum and the message seems to be that you must cover yourself.

As far as overpayments go, I've been told that because I'll be making a new joint claim, the money they say I STILL owe them from their mistakes in 2003 / 4 :mad: will be recovered from me directly and will not form part of the new one. I'll be setting up a payment plan for that.

Another useful thing I've found out is to make absolutely sure that the old claim is closed before setting up a new one. You don't want two claims in the system or it'll be flagged for fraud and delayed. Don't be satisfied with, "I'll make a note on the account". Make sure it has been actioned.

System

You currently have a claim in your name only and it will stay that way unless your partner moves in with you. Immediately he does then you have to call the TCO and tell them. They will terminate your single claim from that date and you can ask for a new application pack so that you and your partner can make a new joint claim.

I can't emphasize enough the point that you must tell them immediately. This is because if you leave it, say 6 weeks, and then tell them he moved in 6 weeks ago they they will terminate your single claim from that date and ask you to repay any money they paid you during those 6 weeks which was based on your single application.

Also if you do tell them immediately but payments are still sent to you whilst you are waiting for your new application to be processed they you would be better setting that money aside in a high interest account because they will ask for that money back too.

Becles

I went throught this when I met my now hubby!

You just ring up and say he is living with us from x date. They cancel your single person claim, and start a new joint claim with both your incomes on.

Make sure they do stop the single person claim though. They didn't on mine and I got a single person payment that I shouldn't have done. I've been told they will be claimed back at some point, but it's still sitting in a savings account at the moment as they haven't asked for it back yet!

susie_1_3

I am entitled to more if i am on my on than if he moves in so what happens to what they have paid me to date would i need to pay that back or does it just start from when he moves in as i know they use earning from the year before when i didnt even know him then??

System

Your single claim stops when he moves in and you then make a new joint claim.

On the new claim form you and your partner will declare your previous year income. However if that income was £0.00 and this year you expect it to be much greater it might be better to give that as an estimate instead.