Potential benefit fraud

[Deleted User]

Hi guys

First post here so go easy on me!

I'm not really one to moan, but benefit fraud is a massive pet hate of mine how some people get away with it! Anyway, my partners ex-boyfriend, of whom they had 2 children together, is currently living rent-free at his parent's house and works full time earning typically around £1000 month take home.

My girlfriend has the children full time, in which he sees them 2 nights every other week, so 4 nights in total per month.

Anyway, he has started receiving working tax credits, £160 a week! Which is extortionate for someone living rent-free at their parents house. My only conclusion is that he has said the 2 children are living with him.

Unless I am completely wrong and he is eligible for £160 a week, but that is more then my girlfriend is getting when she has full custody of the children and works full time!

I have reported him to benefit fraud, but will they ever actually take any action?

Thanks

londonTiger

i read the title and I knew it was an ex-partner situation.

If you genuinely feel they are claiming benefits illegally then make a complaint.

Out of curiosity, how do you know he's getting £160 a week?

tomtontom

Do you know for a fact he is getting that much? Could be be bragging and making it up? The figure doesn't tally with what a single person would receive, even with a much lower income.

Podge52

Are you aware that wtc and ctc are two completely different benefits?

You report somebody for committing fraud even though you don't know that they are.

What a lovely person you are. I hope he finds out and comes round and teaches you a lesson.

bluelass

Yes the DWP will carry out an investigation and then ask him to attend an interview. He sounds very cheeky I work 30 hours a week and have a debilitating illness and I cant get anything else other than my own earned for wage on which I pay tax and NI. It annoys me how some people get away with murder like this man you mention, I know someone getting all sorts of benefits saying he cant walk properly etc and he can.

londonTiger

Podge52 wrote: »

Are you aware that wtc and ctc are two completely different benefits?

You report somebody for committing fraud even though you don't know that they are.

What a lovely person you are. I hope he finds out and comes round and teaches you a lesson.

last time I check the wtc rates. The maximum you get is £3000 p.a. as a single person without children. You only get that when your income is £10000 p.a. If you make more than then wtc reduces on a sliding scale.

So if he's getting £160 a week that's £8350 p.a. so something is definately amiss.

londonTiger

tomtontom wrote: »

Do you know for a fact he is getting that much? Could be be bragging and making it up? The figure doesn't tally with what a single person would receive, even with a much lower income.

I'd like to know that too.

Benefit fraud complaints come from ex-partners usually. They normally know the full facts because the benefit fraud started when they were together!!

Poppie68

Usually if someone else makes a claim for Child Tax Credits for the same children HMRC are supposed to contact the person who is already receiving the payment....Do WTC work the same way? You girlfriend will need to call them and ask them to look into it as if it is happening it may cause problems for her in the future.

[Deleted User]

Wow jump on the bandwagon quickly!

I know as he still has his bank statements sent to her address, so she has obviously seen.

But thank you for the useful tips so far, I will forward it on to her.

Podge52

"So if he's getting £160 a week that's £8350 p.a. so something is definately amiss"

It is indeed but the op was suggesting that he was claiming for the children.

londonTiger

so you're opening someone elses bank statements?