Tax credit investigation

[indigoblue]

Hi I am claiming as a single parent and i have recieved a letter asking my to provide copies of bills and payslips bank statement, mortgage statement etc. I am happy to do this although i am concerned because the property in is joint names, I bought it approx 18mt with my childs father as niether of us could afford to buy seperate, its a large enough property to accomadate everyone and he lives completely seperate from me, he has the loft conversion however the main problems are that his wages have been paid in to my bank and then transferred to him as at the time this seemed a good system for sorting how to pay for things - looking at it now it seems foolish, also some of the bills are in his name too. Im really worried about how this looks? after reading lots on here and on the web i suspect they are going to say we are living as husband and wife, however there is no possibilty of a joint claim as we are not in a relationship and he would never agree to a joint claim or providing details.
I am so worried any advice would be greatly apprieciated If they say we should of made a joint claim would they take me to court

[ErikaPNP]

I've been investigated twice for tax credit fraud, asked for the same items as you are being asked. Both times they got it wrong and the second time they actually found that I wasn't being paid enough!

Regarding the paying of your exes money into your account. You say it is then transferred onto him. Is this transferred via your bank? If so, that will show on your statement.

He lives in the loft conversion. There is a difference between house and houshold, but I am not sure of the quote, hopefully someone will be able to help with that.

If his name is on the bills, they will probably take that into consideration as it will look as if he is contributing financially to the household. If he contributes towards bills and you are not in a relationship, he can be considered a lodger, in which case his contributions count towards your income figure.

I think it's going to be difficult to prove that you are living seperate lives as the mortgage is in joint names, his money is paid into your bank account and he lives within the house. Do you have any sort of seperation agreement? Or solicitor involvment that documents your seperation? My guess is they will either decide you are living as partners in which case you could be liable to prosecution for fraud, or they will give you an opportunity to prove otherwise. Unless you can prove you aren't, I don't know what to advise because bills in his name, his wages going into your account and a joint mortgage is their "proof" that you are living as a couple.

[therafalution]

You have to prove separate lives. You obviously no longer consider yourselves a couple? Look at the rent a room scheme whereby income is disregarded for tc purposes. Maybe you need to draw up a formal agreement re who pays for what and how.

[indigoblue]

Thanks for advice, like i said 1 bill is in his name but it clearly shows on my banks statement that i pay it, also previous to this i had looked in to ways of buying him out of the property and have applications to prove this do you think this would be of any help proving my case? we also have seperate living arrangements ie he does all own cooking washing etc, even has his own seperate washing line, own cupboard in bathroom for towels and toiletries etc

[ErikaPNP]

In all honesty, I don't know. They would have to be satisfied that you are living seperate lives. When you post the information to them that you have asked for, it may help to post the other documents you have which you think may help your case.

It may be worthwhile doing what the previous poster suggested, and draw up a formal agreement if you don't already have a seperation agreement in place. Although I don't know if this would help your case any or suffice only as damage limitation, i.e show that you have taken steps to formally set out the responsibilities of your now seperate lives.

If they are not satisfied, perhaps they will arrange for a home visit, but I am not sure - home visits are what the benefit agency does at times when benefit fraud is suspected, but I don't know if tax credits will carry one out.

Sorry I can't be of any more help to you.