Concentrix letter advice needed please

Carla1234

Good afternoon

I would like some advise please. Background: ex and I split up two years ago, he moved out and is now living with someone else (they have a baby together).

I live alone with my daughter who is registered disabled. Due to the disability I left work and now receive CA, DLA, IS and CTC (along with HB and partial CT benefit).

I yesterday received the letter stating that they have evidence I am living with someone. I'm not surprised by this letter - my ex has not changed his pay slips, bank statements or anything else from my address. I have asked him several times (and stressed that I didn't want to be accused of benefit fraud) but he refuses "I can't be bothered" "I don't need to" "I don't live there anymore so it doesn't matter" etc. He is very aggressive and can be violent - not a person who is very reasonable.

Anyway . . . the letter came yesterday and I called him up in a rage to tell him that I now need to provide all of this info. He couldn't care less, never apologised and the conversation ended with him telling me he is now withdrawing all financial child maintenance to me as I clearly don't appreciate his help! He does help me financially but still . . . he's a total !!!!! I told him that's fine, as his verbal/emotional abuse is not worth the child maintenance and I won't take another penny off of him ever again.

I am collecting all of the requested documents (a task in itself) and all is in order - all bills, statements etc are in my name only and he was removed from the electoral roll when he moved out. But my bank statement shows a couple of payments larger than the monthly child maintenance - he asked me to arrange his car insurance last year which I did, paid for and then he transferred me the money. He also paid off some of a credit card for me, and paid for me to take our child on holiday last year.

I know I am allowed child maintenance (and the usual monthly payment has always been declared) but will these transfers from his account to mine deem something with regard to him living here? Or do they just want to see names on utilities etc?

I would like to ask him for his rental agreement for his current property (with his name on) to send off together with the documentation but I'm afraid of him right now (he won't return my calls due to me "daring to anger him over the letter" and I don't want to provoke him further.

Thanks! Sorry it's so long.

FBaby

Just give them his new address and explains the above.
I am confused as to why would have agreed to arrange his car insurance for him 1 year after you separated though. Is that registered at your address?

Carla1234

Unfortunately yes it is. He asked me to sort it out for him (always getting me to do stuff like this and I cannot refuse).

I'm so angry with him. I wish I had found the courage to stand up to him a long time ago. I was thinking of writing down all of the financial agreements he has registered at my address and sending them along with my documents stating that he will change the address on them asap. Is that a good idea?

So worried I will lose my tax credits and/or face a heavy fine. Im heavily in debt as it is and have just lost the child maintenance also.

Topcat1982

Child maintenance is disregarded, even if he is paying over and above the CSA amount.

The problem is proving he doesn't live there. I have to say, it sounds like the new g/f is claiming benefits as a single mother. Otherwise why would he be so reluctant to change his address.

FBaby

Agree with topcat, it sounds very fishy indeed, why would he ask you to register the insurance and then give you the money for it? I don't understand why if you asked him several times to stop using your address because you knew of the potential consequences, you would have agreed to register his insurance to it.

Darksparkle

Why aren't you just returning all his post saying he isn't at that address?

NYM

When his circumstances changed and he didn't inform his car insurer, his insurance may be invalidated. He's legally required to disclose all changes. By not informing them of his change of address (misrepresentation) it is a form of insurance fraud, and will invalidate his policy so he won’t be covered if he attempts to make a claim.

Personally...I'd send any documents you have received back to the Insurers and tell them he no longer lives there.

Alice_Holt

Which Organisation was the letter from? DWP or HMRC (Tax Credits)?

Here is some info on the Living Together As Man & Wife criteria used by the DWP (& also for Tax Credits):
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/474014/dmgch11.pdf

As your ex is not helping (his rental agreement would certainly have been helpful), I suggest you get some help from your local CAB. See if you can be allocated to a caseworker.

It is likely that you may have to appeal this decision to the Tribunal Service, as HMRC in particular are fairly intransigent. You are doing the right thing in starting to collect evidence. Be mindful of the deadlines for appealing this decision.

Gypsywoman

Sounds like Topcat says.

He is probably living with his current partner and baby and she is claiming as a single parent. He does not want any of his financial affairs to go to that address because they must be on to a good thing, if this is the case.

So give no thanks that he 'helped you out financially with a credit card payment' or paid for an holiday, until you know the game that is being played here, for there surely is one.

If he is violent towards you, even verbally you could ring Womens Aid and explain your concerns, They may well point you in the right direction to get this sorted without you feeling under threat.

If he was verbally violent towards you in the past it would perhaps be for the best if you have minimum contact and ask for support through Womens Aid or Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) on dealing with this matter.

Does he still see your/his daughter? If so do not discuss this changing of address ect, with him face-to-face. I do not know how far he will take his violence and I am not asking you to say. Just you know what he is capable of so please do not put yourself in harms way. .

You can get help also with your debts at CAB. Make sure they are all yours also.

Do not do him any favours. He is certainly not doing you any.

Take care.

Marktheshark

He will care as he will be getting a letter inviting him to interview under caution and subsequently a warrant for his arrest if he ignores it.
If he is living elsewhere he might want to step in and make this clear, he is and will be the joint accused if they can not obtain satisfactory information to disprove the allegation.

Darksparkle

Marktheshark wrote: »

He will care as he will be getting a letter inviting him to interview under caution and subsequently a warrant for his arrest if he ignores it.
If he is living elsewhere he might want to step in and make this clear, he is and will be the joint accused if they can not obtain satisfactory information to disprove the allegation.

Never heard of tax credits doing this.