A new partner and new start in life. New SOA...

19lottie82

asparagus1968 wrote: »

so OH is fraudulently claiming benefits?

Looks like it.

OP you need to speak to your OH about this. Moral reasons aside, all she needs is for one person who had a grudge against her to make one phonecall and the DWP will investigate. As you are on the CT bill, it won't be hard to work out what's going on.

2014NewStart

asparagus1968 wrote: »

so OH is fraudulently claiming benefits?

Yes and no...in my opinion it's just failing to notify a change in circumstances.

I believe we as a couple would be entitled to exactly the same amount of money as she currently gets in a single claim. She currently gets the full amount for 1 child. She is just scared that notifying them will cause them to stop the payments and not reinstate them.

19lottie82 wrote: »

Looks like it.

OP you need to speak to your OH about this. Moral reasons aside, all she needs is for one person who had a grudge against her to make one phonecall and the DWP will investigate. As you are on the CT bill, it won't be hard to work out what's going on.

She doesn't claim any DWP benefits...just HMRC benefits. The child tax credit. I'm as worried about it as anyone else. Could I approach the HMRC myself and notify a change in circumstances even though I'm not on the claim or even start a new claim?

19lottie82

OK HMRC (my mistake), but OP there is no "yes and no" about it. By not reporting a claim in circumstances your OH is committing benefit fraud, which is a criminal offence.

"I believe we as a couple would be entitled to exactly the same amount of money as she currently gets in a single claim"

If your OH doesn't work , she will get a lot less tax credits , if she declares that you are living with her as your have a post tax income of £1680 (?). That is now household income, in the eyes of the HMRC, as you are living together as a couple.

"Could I approach the HMRC myself and notify a change in circumstances even though I'm not on the claim or even start a new claim?"

What would your OH say to that?

If she's worried about losing her benefits and you won't join finances, then you shouldn't be living together, sorry.

[Deleted User]

2014NewStart wrote: »

Yes and no...in my opinion it's just failing to notify a change in circumstances.

With respect, that IS a fraudulent claim.

Could I approach the HMRC myself and notify a change in circumstances even though I'm not on the claim or even start a new claim?

No you couldn't, and if you did, it'd probably be recorded as a tip-off, leading to her being prosecution for benefit fraud.

[Deleted User]

19lottie82 wrote: »

If she's worried about losing her benefits and you won't join finances, then you shouldn't be living together, sorry.

I agree.

If I were the OP, I'd have run for the hills by now.

2014NewStart

19lottie82 wrote: »

OK HMRC (my mistake), but OP there is no "yes and no" about it. By not reporting a claim in circumstances your OH is committing benefit fraud, which is a criminal offence.

"I believe we as a couple would be entitled to exactly the same amount of money as she currently gets in a single claim"

If your OH doesn't work , she will get a lot less tax credits , if she declares that you are living with her as your have a post tax income of £1680 (?). That is now household income, in the eyes of the HMRC, as you are living together as a couple.

"Could I approach the HMRC myself and notify a change in circumstances even though I'm not on the claim or even start a new claim?"

What would your OH say to that?

If she's worried about losing her benefits and you won't join finances, then you shouldn't be living together, sorry.

I would gladly join finances. I'd be way better off...but the reason I don't want to is that I would be gaining from money which is paid for the support of a child which wouldn't be fair. I am trying to be realistic about this. That money shouldn't be used to pay my debts. We will join finances when that money stops.

Do you know how much in tax credits we would be entitled to? This tax year I will have an extra £6,000 profit from the rental of my house. Not sure of exact figure that's just an estimate. As agreed earlier I should increase the take from the company to a net £250 per week which would be a gross salary of £7,960 (£153 per week tax and NI free) and dividends of £5,040...(£97 per week tax paid).

ermine

2014NewStart wrote: »

It was all much easier living in my house and visiting each others homes every few days but living together as a couple should save us both money in the long run.

There's a lot of trouble brewing in this arrangement - for starters you have to qualify and factor your partner's loss of tax credits which is going to come and bite you both sooner or later.

I'd move out and carry on visiting, but each to their own. Resolve and clarify these tax credit issues sooner rather than later

I believe we as a couple would be entitled to exactly the same amount of money as she currently gets in a single claim

facts trump beliefs. Arm yourself with the sword of truth - start with

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/

and maybe

http://taxcredits.hmrc.gov.uk/Qualify/DIQHousehold.aspx

and take an informed decision. Although there is a lot to be said for running individual finances in the early stages of a relationship in the end if you are asking the rest of us to chip in with tax credits you don't get the privilege of that choice. In the UK you are taxed individually but claim benefits as a household.

If you take the ostrich approach there are going to be very serious financial troubles further down the road. In the end having to move out and continue visiting is better than getting into a financial pickle because of the failure to notify changes of circumstances. At least know accurately what the impact is of moving in together so you can make an informed decision!

xbethanyx

Can I ask how long you have been together as a couple?

HappyMJ

Could your company employ her and pay her some money free of tax and NI? If you pay yourself £97 a week dividends you could get her to do something for you and pay her £120 a week in wages and there wouldn't be any tax or NI to pay as it's under the personal allowance. You'd get more money and that should help cover the loss of the tax credits.

2014NewStart

xbethanyx wrote: »

Can I ask how long you have been together as a couple?

About 7-8 years. Lived together since last December.