Universal credit querry/ council tax

Maryanne062006

Good afternoon.

The father of my children was the main carer for them for about 2 years and after a long story between us, him cheating on me and left me when I needed support the most as I had a little baby and another child, left me with depression and all the costs of living. We been back together for a very short period then I decided to leave him as we continued fighting under the same roof and that was not healthy for our children plus I wanted to give him a lesson. We were married and he never accepted my divorce so we continued having the same family names, also avoided the cost of a separation. I rent the property on my name for him and the children while he was trying to get a job and I used to pay half of the rent while he was responsible for the bills and child care, thing which he agreed. I used to leave with my new partener who didn t have a fixed address ( used to stay in hotels, caravans as he was an international driver all payed by his company) . I continued to have a job, was able to look after myself and provide food for my children. 7 months he knew nothing about me , I only texted him to make sure kids were fine. I kept the same address for myself on the house I rented for him and kids . After 7 months I gradually started to visit the children and coming in the house especially on nights when they were sick or on special occasions. On rest of the time I was back to my actual partener. I never told him where Inuswd to live. In the meantime my big son 9 years old started to feel down and anxious as I was always away from him and started to blame me and cry everytime we met. My husband was an exemplar father during this time which I was pleased with and always trying to convince me to give another chance . So I lately decided I should give another try. About 3 weeks ago I decided to come back and continue our family life. In the meantime I found out he claimed universal credit during the time I left him and he started on a job about 6 months ago, he let them know when started the job , also he announced them immediately after I moved in and started again as a couple. In few days we had somebody to us questioning why my husband claimed discount from Council tax as a single but he registered me on the election site as living at the address for all this time. The same adress was on my bank account, car insurance, GP , my job, because I decided to keep it as I rented the house and payed half of it and never had another fixed address. I rang them and explained I was actually living with my boyfriend to different addresses but I couldn t provide details , for the respect of his wish,as he had a family which he was trying to get on with as well. So I literally couldn t prove I was living in any another places, now my husband needs to pay back the discount offered for the council tax and we understood the situation. My question is, would he be investigated for claiming the universal credit for the whole periode? He was honest with them and transparent, attended all the appointments and declared all the changes, everytime. But because I can t prove where I used to leave for 2 years, would he get on any trouble? Thank you !

Ayr_Rage

Could you edit into paragraphs please.

Maryanne062006

what to edit please? Thank you

Ayr_Rage

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81943459#Comment_81943459

Split into paragraphs, that wall of text is very hard to read.

Maryanne062006

ok thank you.

elsien

the short version.

For most of the last two years the OP has been living out of the family home apart from the odd couple of weeks when they’ve tried again and it hasn’t worked.

Bank statements et cetera kept at that address because she didn’t have another permanent address and her husband didn’t know where she was living. OP was living a transient lifestyle staying in hotels and caravans with another partner.

Rental property in her name but just the husband and the children were living there and she was paying half the rent.

Council now querying the husband’s 25% single person discount and OP is also worried about the universal credit claim made while she was away because it’s hard to prove they were separated. He declared all the relevant changes to UC.
Will UC investigate him?

Spoonie_Turtle

Is this the main problem?

I rang them and explained I was actually living with my boyfriend to different addresses but I couldn t provide details , for the respect of his wish,as he had a family which he was trying to get on with as well.

Why would providing the council evidence of where you were staying, have any effect on your (ex?) boyfriend's family? I understand wanting to respect his wishes but ultimately if you need to provide information to the authorities, you don't have much choice.

It reads as if you are choosing not to provide proof, but if the issue is that actually you don't have any proof to give them, I apologise for misunderstanding.

(For others reading I think OP's account might be too new to be able to edit the post into paragraphs yet.)

Maryanne062006

good morning,thank you for your answer. He never wanted me to give his details to anybody , he was a very private person, he taught this might just affect his relation as he was trying to get back together with his wife as well, he was transiting England most of the time. However now he has changed his telephone number and not able to get in touch with him at all. He was leaving abroad . My issue is, because I can t prove my other addresses, if this will be a subject of investigating? Thank you.

TimeLord1

Just gather all information that shows you were living separately, also visit the local Citizen Advice basically use everything email and text bills. Until you can prove he left then you will find it difficult.

Maryanne062006

Thank you. I am now living with my family, I ve never dealt with any bills as I used to leave in caravans and room hotels, he was dealing with everything. I literally can t prove anything from previous addresses and we not in touch.

Maryanne062006

They were aware apparently when my husband claimed UC that I was leaving somewhere else but he couldn t give any details simply because I never told him where I was living.