HELP! question about tax credits

ghunt5648

Hi,

i live with my partner who works and our 1 year old son.
We currently claim child tax credits and small amount of housing benefits.

About 2 weeks ago my dad got kicked out by his girlfriend as they've had a very rocky on and off again relationship for a few years now and he had no where to go. We let him stay at our house while he sorts his flat out (which is ready in 2 weeks time and hes being paying us nothing towards rent etc). He very rarely here as stays away for work a lot but now his ex has decided to text today to say shes rang tax credits and told them he's been living with us for over a year now! Is this something they will believe and is there anyway we can prove he hasn't? He has no link to our address what so ever as all his bank accounts etc are all linked to his old address. The other thing is she is very unstable and a complete psycho even though he keeps going back to her all the time and there's a good chance shes just said this so he will go round to tell her off and then he ends up staying the night (its happened many times before he's an idiot)

Advice please

Regards.

Darksparkle

Your dad living with you makes no difference to tax credits unless he pays you rent.

Even then if the rent paid is covered by the rent a room scheme it doesn't need to be declared (£4250 for last year, £7500 this year).

Stroller133

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will be able to provide a more accurate answer. However I don't think your tax credits will be affected.
The extra person in the household couldn't be considered a partner making yours a joint claim - firstly as its your father and secondly I assume you are already making a joint claim with your partner.
I have no idea if your housing benefit could be affected though.

ghunt5648

Thanks for your responses.

He pays nothing towards rent etc as we are letting him stay these few weeks to help him out so can get into his flat and by taking money from him will only make it longer for him to save the money so we see it as counter-productive.

Yes it is a joint claim between me and my partner, im just worrying now for a phone call or a letter to come through. we are actually moving house ourselves in 3 weeks so will need to ring to change address and dreading doing it just incase she isnt lying and they start questioning me because we have no way of proving he was only here a few weeks until he gets his flat

Darksparkle

No one is going to phone you because it doesn't make any difference.

ghunt5648

is he not classed as a non-dependant? because they have non-dependant deductions as far as im aware? or am i getting it wrong?

Darksparkle

ghunt5648 wrote: »

is he not classed as a non-dependant? because they have non-dependant deductions as far as im aware? or am i getting it wrong?

Tax credits don't. Perhaps other benefits do.

ghunt5648

so is there a chance my housing benefits could be affected or would they still need to be able to prove he's lived with us for a year like she has said to reduce them?

allison445

If worse comes to worse as long as you can prove your father lived at a different address apart from the 4 weeks he was at yours there shouldn't be any problem. You may have a deduction in housing benefit for the 4 weeks he stayed with you.