Need Advice.

LeeDavis

I split up with my partner in April 2014 and moved back in with the folks. As I co own the property I still pay half the mortgage etc on it and didn't change my council tax address to my folks house. (which I have now done)
My ex obviously claimed for single parent child benefits when I moved out but has now received a letter saying they think (another adult lives there e.g me) and she owes a lot of money.


Unfortunately as we still have a very amicable relationship (for the sake of the child and we actually still are friends just not in that couple way) I never really bothered changing any of my correspondence to my folks house as I was always there at least 2 evenings a week to see my daughter and to pick up post etc. I haven't lived there since April 2014 but can't see how I can prove it apart from people who know me. Obviously she's actually is a single parent and I can't see how she would be able to afford to pay this amount of money back when in fact she hasn't actually done anything wrong.. What can I do to help her?


I mean when it comes down to it it's sort of my fault not changing any of my details but as it wasn't effecting anything I never saw the reason to do it.

alternate

hmm maybe signed statements from your parents saying when you moved in with them. It is about what you can prove and unfortunately you are lacking the paperwork so it is about convincing them you were not pulling a fast one.

agrinnall

That's worth a try but may not be enough to convince anyone as the parents are not really an independent source of evidence.

I think the answer to your question is that she will need to repay the money and you should do the decent thing and give her that money as it's your error.

Darksparkle

Are you paying child maintenance?

LeeDavis

well I'm paying half the mortgage, all the car insurance, council tax and household bills whilst also paying my folks money for rent as well, leaves me with about 200 quid left for the month(for food,clothes etc).
We (she) didn't want to go down the CPS route so I just cover 80% of the expenditure for the house.
Will be really !!!!ed off if I've had to live like a hermit for over 2 years and then still have to pay 3 grand out.


Well I just don't have 3 grand to shell out I'm skint.

densol_2

Why are you paying "all" the car insurance ? Do you mean you are paying " her " car insurance ? Do you have car insurance at your parents address ? Im afraid HMRC deal with many people claiming to be seperated and single when they are not. On here the advice given to any newly single claiment is to severe as much as possible. Try and look for independent evidence that you notified authorities / employer / car insurance / voters of your new address.

Every year the voters register is updated. You have to complete a form. What was put on the " old " address. What did your parents put on their form ?

Darksparkle

LeeDavis wrote: »

well I'm paying half the mortgage, all the car insurance, council tax and household bills whilst also paying my folks money for rent as well, leaves me with about 200 quid left for the month(for food,clothes etc).
We (she) didn't want to go down the CPS route so I just cover 80% of the expenditure for the house.
Will be really !!!!ed off if I've had to live like a hermit for over 2 years and then still have to pay 3 grand out.


Well I just don't have 3 grand to shell out I'm skint.

What's the 3 grand?

For benefit purposes, it would have made more sense for her to have all bills in her name and for her to pay them and you just pay your half of the mortgage and maintenance to her.

They don't really ask a it where you sleep at night, it's about what she has on paper that she can provide as proof and whaha different on paper now to when you were together.

CLAPTON

LeeDavis wrote: »

I split up with my partner in April 2014 and moved back in with the folks. As I co own the property I still pay half the mortgage etc on it and didn't change my council tax address to my folks house. (which I have now done)
My ex obviously claimed for single parent child benefits when I moved out but has now received a letter saying they think (another adult lives there e.g me) and she owes a lot of money.


Unfortunately as we still have a very amicable relationship (for the sake of the child and we actually still are friends just not in that couple way) I never really bothered changing any of my correspondence to my folks house as I was always there at least 2 evenings a week to see my daughter and to pick up post etc. I haven't lived there since April 2014 but can't see how I can prove it apart from people who know me. Obviously she's actually is a single parent and I can't see how she would be able to afford to pay this amount of money back when in fact she hasn't actually done anything wrong.. What can I do to help her?


I mean when it comes down to it it's sort of my fault not changing any of my details but as it wasn't effecting anything I never saw the reason to do it.

who actually wrote to her
what did they say when she explained you are separated

Fran

If your ex is claiming benefits it will be for things such as Council Tax.

It sounds complicated, I suggest getting advice from Citizens Advice.