Tax Creds have stopped - Help!!

redkev76

Hi

Me and my wife are separated and have 2 small children 4 and 5. She was claiming as a single person since I moved out but HMRC wrote to her to say they were going to do a review (stupidly, I had not changed all my bank details etc to new address as I didnt have somewhere permanent to live and didnt want to change them until I had somewhere permanent as im on a DMP and have awful credit and didnt want to ruin it further) and so their credit check showed me living there even if im not on electoral roll.

They asked her to send in her bank statements and proof of my new address plus CT letters, utility etc. She sent:
CT letter showing the date she moved to single person discount
TV Licence letter in her sole name
Bank statement showing all bills coming out of her account
I sent my driving licence in new address
Letter from my landlord confirming I live at that address
Landlord confirmed he has applied to have me added to the electoral roll along with guidance from Croydon Council advising that this would not change until 1st March
I provided bank statement in new address and a letter from Financial Director at my employer stating my address

The deadline was 27th Jan and she sent it and they confirmed receipt on 24th Jan and on 25th Jan she spoke to someone who said everything seemed in order.

She has received payments last 2 weeks but today never got paid and she called them and they said they have stopped payments with immediate effect and a letter is in the post and she can appeal.

Tbh, both our worlds have fallen apart this morning and I would happily have driven into a wall on the way to work as she cannot live without that money. I see my kids all the time and have not disappeared from their lives but this now leaves her 500 a month short even after what I give her (300 a month).

They are saying basically that what she sent is not proof of an ongoing relationship and that there will be overpayments to pay. I understood from the original review letter that they might reduce payments due to overpayments but for the claim to be cancelled completely seems crazy.

Anyone help at all as we are both at the ends of our tether panicking about this. An appeal could take weeks and the school fees etc are due

Thanks in advance

pmlindyloo

You do not say when you moved out and when you actually started you own tenancy, changed your bank details etc.

I would think that they are treating you as joint claimants until the evidence shows that you are leading separate lives.

I also think that there is going to be an overpayment and the letter will tell you their decision and how they are going to 'claw back' this overpayment.

From what you have said the evidence you have supplied would be sufficient to prove that you were living separately, but only from the dates that this evidence shows.

To be honest, I do not think there is much you can do at the moment until you receive the letter and see what award and overpayment they have worked out. Then, if you wish, you can appeal.

As regards the shortfall in money you will need to work through this.

Since you are on a DMP then you should inform them of the change of circumstances and renegotiate the terms until your finances are secure.

Similarly with any other bills that are due. Let them know what is happening - they may be able to help.

You may have to reconsider the way you both manage your day to day expenditure and, certainly, for the short term live as frugally as possible.

I realise that you are both paying for individual homes, but presumably if your OH isn't working and claiming IS then she will be receiving HB and CTB?

I do not wish to sound judgemental but with a DMP and your wife claiming benefits perhaps the time has come to consider the school fees as an unnecessary expenditure?

I don't know all your circumstances so forgive me if I have misread your situation.

PS Just one other thing. You say you see the kids all the time and 'both our worlds have fallen apart this morning' - you are living separate lives aren't you and the DWP doesn't suspect otherwise?

redkev76

Hi

When I say school fees, I dont mean a fee paying school, I mean that my son goes to nursery which needs to be paid for as we both work full time plus my daughter has to go to breakfast and afterschool club.

I moved out at start of August but was living at a friends as I couldnt get a deposit together until start of December when I got a room

I say both our worlds have fallen apart because life is hard enough as it is but I will have to live on thin air to help her with the shortfall as I dont want my kids to go without.

When you say about the award letter, do u mean they have stopped for now until they send out a new award minus the overpayment so she might still get a reduced payment. At the moment she gets about 200 a week. I was more of the impression that they had just stopped altogether.

Ultimately if she has to pay back an overpayment cos she cant prove my address until December thats one thing ie taking 200 a month off her but stopping it entirely will mean she cant afford basic bills

Chrissie72

I can't help or advise Kev, but all I will say is PLEASE go see the CAB, and go to the council and the benefits office, and don't do anything silly. Things will get better I promise You sound really low in your post. I hope things are OK soon ...

redkev76

Really really low to be honest. I rang the local CAB this morning and because of a lack of volunteers they only have open phone lines wednesday 10.30-1.30 and are only open about 4 hours a week to go in and we both work ft so its really difficult to get in. What annoys me is they asked for information from her which was provided completely. They didnt ask for shopping bills etc and it just seems crazy that they just stop it without asking for whatever other info they now want.

Apart from having a camera on you 24 hours a day, I cant see how anyone can verify that you live separate lives. Why would anyone change their Driving licence, rent somewhere else and change everything to a different address but still be in a relationship?

pmlindyloo

redkev76 wrote: »

Hi

When I say school fees, I dont mean a fee paying school, I mean that my son goes to nursery which needs to be paid for as we both work full time plus my daughter has to go to breakfast and afterschool club.

I moved out at start of August but was living at a friends as I couldnt get a deposit together until start of December when I got a room

I say both our worlds have fallen apart because life is hard enough as it is but I will have to live on thin air to help her with the shortfall as I dont want my kids to go without.

When you say about the award letter, do u mean they have stopped for now until they send out a new award minus the overpayment so she might still get a reduced payment. At the moment she gets about 200 a week. I was more of the impression that they had just stopped altogether.

Ultimately if she has to pay back an overpayment cos she cant prove my address until December thats one thing ie taking 200 a month off her but stopping it entirely will mean she cant afford basic bills

First of all forgive me for misinterpreting your school fees

Tax Credits are very complicated so I would echo the previous poster's advice about going to CAB for help (choose a large one with a Welfare and Benefits specialist)

Also, you could call Tax Credits and ask them why the payment has stopped and what happens next or ask a CAB advisor to call on your behalf.

Above all, please try not to worry too much. Put any non priority bills on the back burner - just keep everyone up to date with everything that is happening. Your family are the most important thing at the moment.

Edit. Just seen your psot.

Have you another CAB that you can go to? A larger one - google for your next nearest one.

From what you say I don't think the problem is whether you have separated - the evidence you have given seems fine to me (but I'm not an expert)

Ring tax credits and ask them to explain what is happening. At least then you will know and can consider your options.

redkev76

Hi

Essentially, she called them this morning and the person just said she didnt have much information but all she could see was that despite what wed sent they didnt have enough evidence that we werent living as a couple and we would just have to wait for the letter. Its all very well waiting for a letter but when you dont have any money, it takes the !!!! quite frankly.

She is going to call them again this evening.

redkev76

I have Monday off to look after the kids during HT so I will go to Croydon CAB and see if someone there can help. Id appreciate if someone could advise if theyve had this situation and has any idea whether it will be a lower award or just stopped

dundeediva

redkev76 wrote: »

Hi

Essentially, she called them this morning and the person just said she didnt have much information but all she could see was that despite what wed sent they didnt have enough evidence that we werent living as a couple and we would just have to wait for the letter. Its all very well waiting for a letter but when you dont have any money, it takes the !!!! quite frankly.

She is going to call them again this evening.

Hi nothing much to add to what other posters have put but get her to call the officer who was dealing with her claim, not the main helpline as they can't help. The phone number she needs is on the letter she got originally asking for the info. (I think they close early too so tell her not to leave it too late)

shedboy94

redkev76 wrote: »

Tbh, both our worlds have fallen apart this morning and I would happily have driven into a wall on the way to work as she cannot live without that money. I see my kids all the time and have not disappeared from their lives but this now leaves her 500 a month short even after what I give her (300 a month).

I'm confused.....if you are separated and living seperate lives, why would HER money stopping make YOUR world fall apart?

little_miss_muppet_face

shedboy94 wrote: »

I'm confused.....if you are separated and living seperate lives, why would HER money stopping make YOUR world fall apart?

Because it would affect the lives of HIS children maybe...