Single claim right?

vodkaburner_2

Hi,
I've split from my husband and moved in to his mother in law's house. She lives with her grandson, my husbands son from previous marriage. This is a temporary measure before I find my own place. I sent off the claim for tax credits as a single person. I got a letter of compliance yesterday asking for bills and bank statements. All I could provide was bank statements as everything else is in mother in law's name. Don't know what I've done wrong, if anything or is it just a standard procedure. Any advice?

pmlindyloo

vodkaburner wrote: »

Hi,
I've split from my husband and moved in to his mother in law's house. She lives with her grandson, my husbands son from previous marriage. This is a temporary measure before I find my own place. I sent off the claim for tax credits as a single person. I got a letter of compliance yesterday asking for bills and bank statements. All I could provide was bank statements as everything else is in mother in law's name. Don't know what I've done wrong, if anything or is it just a standard procedure. Any advice?

They are basically wanting evidence that you have split for your husband.

You could telephone, explain the situation and ask them what information they want.

See here:

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/keep-up-to-date/changes-affect/single-person.htm

Off the top of my head (someone will come along soon and help further)

Letter from solicitor re: divorce
Closed utility accounts
Closed council tax notification
Letter from ex's MIL saying you came to live there following the split on.........
Tenancy agreement for your ex. Proof of where he is living now Employer's aware of change of address?

Do make sure that your ex is not linked with you whatsoever - bank accounts/using same address for mail etc etc

Best thing is to ring and ask. Don't worry, they have to check that you ahve separated.

vodkaburner_2

Thanks a lot for a quick reply. All the bills at the old address were in husbands name so there was no need to change anything. I told the employer and tax office and bank of course. He stayed at our old place. Thanks for putting my mind at ease a bit

vodkaburner_2

Oh, the grandson is self employed and claims working tax credits. I presume that has nothing to with me as we are not a couple.

GirlFromMars_2

Does the grandson have a similar name to your ex? I'm assuming so since they're father & son. Credit agencies may have confused them for the same person, especially if your ex lived at the same address previously?

Presumably they have different NI numbers though, so Tax Credits should be able to tell them apart!

vodkaburner_2

Yeah they have the same surname. I have the same surname too, which probably add to the problem. However, since we split up only recently that shouldn't surprise anyone, I think.
I presume everyone is give a different NI number so there should be no reason for mistaking one person for another.

GirlFromMars_2

It could well be that the compliance officer needs to ascertain that you aren't in a relationship with the grandson then as well.

Since you are living at the same address, share the same name, and are both claiming tax credits individually; I assume some computer somewhere has had a data matching bonanza and decided you need a little further investigation.

Did you phone as suggested to ask what information they require?

vodkaburner_2

Thanks again for help and advice. I got a phone call from tax office before I managed to ring them. It was just to confirm that they got the things they asked me for and that they are happy with it and the claim is processed and will go into payments soon. Thanks once again