Married but living separately?

tinkerbell28

Pollycat wrote: »

Actually, you might find that posting on this forum has done you a big favour by pointing out a potential benefit issue for you and your 'maybe' partner.

Or do you mean you only want people to agree with you?

If so, please pop back and post the link to the website you've found where this actually happens. :cool:

Agreed. LATS can work. It works for a LOT of people who have to commute for work, that's the done thing now for a lot of people I know.

However that issue is secondary if it's built on sand. If you're LATS tax credit legislation is clear, if you're married, it should be a claim as a couple.

The key here is you lived as man and wife, you're legally married and are not legally separating. Doesn't matter if you've got separate houses and live apart. You're still a married couple as far as tax credits are concerned.

So now you know this, even if you don't like it, it will give you more information on how you decide your future. It also will help you do things above board so you don't get a shock when HMRC come a knocking.

They're starting to crack down heavily on LATS as well. In my oh's job where commuting and LATS is common! the law is made very clear and people are warned so they don't fall into this trap by unintentionally committing fraud.

So if anything it's helped you posting here, even if the medicine is bitter.

marisco_2

tinkerbell28 wrote: »

The best advice I can give you, is get your story straight for HMRC.

Don't just get your story straight and hope to be believed. Be straight with HMRC. They know every trick in the book and if they suspect you are committing fraud they will see through any spun tale. Committing fraud is the same as blatant theft. Those who do it are taking from and making it so much harder for those genuinely in need of support to receive it.

tinkerbell28

marisco wrote: »

Don't just get your story straight and hope to be believed. Be straight with HMRC. They know every trick in the book and if they suspect you are committing fraud they will see through any spun tale. Committing fraud is the same as blatant theft. Those who do it are taking from and making it so much harder for those genuinely in need of support to receive it.

Tbh, it was tongue in cheek. Should've used a :cool: Probably in bad taste. HMRC are never going to believe they just "got back in December" when they've been staying over, going to couples counselling with a view to making it work and family holidays.

jaylee3

tinkerbell28 wrote: »

Considering we are only in January and you only "made a go of it in December". But you've been on a family holiday and been spending nights at each other's houses. The best advice I can give you, is get your story straight for HMRC.

It's February actually Only just though.



FWIW, I agree with tinkerbell madison, if you're going to go to HMRC, make sure you get your story straight: the facts you're presenting aren't gelling.

tinkerbell28

jaylee3 wrote: »

It's February actually Only just though.



FWIW, I agree with tinkerbell madison, if you're going to go to HMRC, make sure you get your story straight: the facts you're presenting aren't gelling.

I know it's the weekend, so it doesn't count as real days

jaylee3

Also, Madison, FWIW, I genuinely believe that you're not doing anything 'wrong' intentionally. I can't speak for everyone else here, but I am sure that most others don't think that either.

All we're saying is be careful, be cautious, and be aware that HMRC and tax credits etc, are used to people fleecing them, and will drag you through the ringer if you're not careful. And there is a fair chance that if they were to start looking into your situation right now: you could be in trouble.

Don't be upset, we're just trying to help. Even if it may not come across that way. So don't get disheartened. :kisses3:

jaylee3

tinkerbell28 wrote: »

I know it's the weekend, so it doesn't count as real days

:rotfl::):T

tinkerbell28

I don't think it's intentional either. Lots of people think separate houses/bills/finances/so many nights a week. Means people can claim as single.

It's not true and DWP is different to HMRC.

If you're married and not permanently separating then it's a couples claim.

In my oh's job where LATS is common. If you separate, they make you officially declare it. Then you've got 3 months to work it out or split. This doesn't mean you can't ever get back together btw. It's to make it official, show you've officially declared separation to stop this happening and other things.

Pollycat

I don't think it's intentional either.

But the OP seems to have gone off in a huff - instead of having a "OMG, I never thought of it like that" reaction. :cool:

madison-nyc

Not quite a huff but not going to discuss details about a subject I didn't post about.


Yet again a post gets railroaded to irrelevance.


I've taken what you have said on board, I've a friend who is a manager in DWP and will speak her tonight to see what the score is. If I'm at fault then I will have to decided how to proceed.