Think im in big trouble / benefit fraud

scaredmumoffour · 30th October 2008, 15:05

I received a letter from inland revenue asking for the last 6 months documents for childcare providers,bank statements,council tax,when i went on maternity leave,when i went back to work,names and addresses of the father of my children. I sent these in,they have receieved and the man i spoke to at the compliance office said he will ring me next week as he will have questions for me and send my docs back.There has been no mention of an interview under caution as yet but im expecting one.

Im mum of 3,due a baby in a few weeks time.I work but claim wtc and ctc. My husband and i have lived together on/off for the last 7 years. He shares a flat with a friend,most of his mail goes there eg, bank statemnt,credit card and work correspondance. He has no belongings here but stays here a few nights a week.Ive notified the tax credit office when we have been together and when we split up which was twice throughout our marriage. Complicated relationship we have but working through it. My depression over the years has made things difficult.

Im scared i will be convicted of benefit fraud because:
2 of my children are his and the one im expecting is too.
We have joint names on the mortgage.( i cant get a mortgage on my own,house didnt sell)
We have only recently got seperate bank accounts.(since july) The ones they requested it was still in joint names which i have explained that he isnt on the account now.
Ive only recently took his name of the council tax forms.
He pays me via standng order £1200. 98% of bills in my name.

We actually want to get back together now and give our marriage another go but how is that going to look!?
Since earlier this year,Ive been struggling with pnd and with back pain during my pregnancy so he is here as much as possible now to help me out.Some weeks have been more than 3 nights....

Im really upset,cant stop crying. I work in a school,so if i end up in court ( boss is also a magistrate! ) il lose my job. Will i have to pay back any monies from when the last year what they are investigating nowor will the decide to go back to the last 7 years? Im worried that if i end up being in the papers then my eldest will get bullied. Ive not been out the house for days.Feel like im being watched.Emotional wreck really!

Can anyone advise me / been through something similar.
Thanks for reading.

huggys boss · 30th October 2008, 17:27

Firstly, calm down.

Secondly, if you and your husband want to give it another go then do so. You will deal with this a lot better if you have his support and you are happier in yourself.

IMHO i wouldn't worry about how many children are his - just because you have been living seperatly does not mean that you don't have feelings for each other and what comes naturally happens.

I am sure that somebody with experience of the benefits system will advise you very soon.

When they requested the information, did they say why they wanted it?
Did the man you spoke to give you any indication of what was happening?

Sit tight and wait for some good help.

gizmo111 · 30th October 2008, 19:20

The fact his name is on the mortgage is irrelevant, a lot of marriages end with this arrangement in place often ordered by a court.
It can only be fraud if you have made any untrue statements,and as long as what you have said is the truth and your husband has another address it is unlikely it will be pursued.
Generally around this time of year they check on childcare costs with the provider.

scaredmumoffour · 2nd November 2008, 13:14

Thanks for your replys.
The letter looks like a standard letter. Im going to ring them tommorrow as im so stressed out.The man ive spoken to dealing with my case seemed okay?
I can prove he has been living at his friends flat as he has his mail,bills,belongings there. If they question last year then he was living with his female "friend". I know they are on speaking terms so would a letter from her stating they were living together be sufficient? I can also produce my last 4 bank statements that shows he has been taken off the account and his wages dont go into there anymore,just a standing order for maintenence.
I rang the benefits helpline and the lady i spoke to said he could stay 2 nights a week. Ive got her name,email address and the calls are recorded.
Ive been diagnosed with spd and hoping for a c-section at the earliest date possible. My hubby will need to be here for the kids while im in hossy which i will be honest about as he will need to be here for more than 2 nights a week. I dont have anyone else i could ask for help.

tiglet · 2nd November 2008, 17:12

OK, well, as long as you have been honest, there is no need to panic - i have had a random check before (and did panic - especially the bit which says that if you have anything you need to tell them then tell them now) but nothing came of it because I hadn't concealed anything or done anything wrong. it is not their place to judge your relationship, just how your domestic arrangements affect your entitlement to benefits.

In terms of SPD - have you been told you can have a C-section because of this? I only ask because i have has severe SPD with two children (on crutches and unable to walk by last two weeks) and it is unusual to have an elective C-section because of this. Trust me, it does not prevent you being able to labour/give birth - you just have to be very careful of the position and make sure you know how far apart you can open your legs without pain prior to giving birth.

Sarahtip · 3rd November 2008, 15:17

Hi...have sent a pm to you....i am still going through my investigation....and like you have been out of my mind with worry....so long as you are being honest and can prove everything you are telling them then the onus is on them to prove you are lying. During my home visit they asked if neighbours or friends would class us as a couple to which i informed them that I am a very private person and so only people in my immediate circle of trust would know that we were not a couple and that who am I to say how other people perceive our relationship...and what does it actually matter to me anyhow???

Please try and stay calm...you will need all your energy for the new baby...just get your story straight...know you are telling the truth and stick with what you are saying...as I say let them prove you are lying rather than working yourself up with how they might view it... here is a link for another brilliant site that was a great help for me...keep me posted with how you get on.

Sarah x

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scaredmumoffour · 3rd November 2008, 16:38

I rang tco. I said that partner is staying over 2x a week and that he does have own place. The man at the tco was very nice and said thats fine but if he moves in completely then i have 4 weeks to notfity them. Also told me not to worry but its hard! Its a really stressful time.
He is ringing me next week when he has had then chance to look at documents and he will have questions for me he said.
As for my spd,its down to consultant. Its doubtful he will agree to a c-section unless baby stay breech.

tiglet · 3rd November 2008, 17:02

He may well have some questions, but, you never know, it could actually turn put that you are entitled to MORE money - you never know.

I would listen to his advice and not worry.

Sarahtip · 3rd November 2008, 19:52

Good advice...try not to worry unduly...

They are horrible people to be investigated by tho....I felt like a criminal....bunch of gestapo wannabes!!!!!

S xxxx

ErikaPNP · 3rd November 2008, 20:35

Don't let it worry you. I've had these checks twice, within four months of each other. The second time I was fuming and told them that as I have paperless billing, they would either have to accept prints of my internet account for utilities or contact the companies directly themselves to confirm. I also told them that as they had requested bank statements going back a year, they could pay the fee I would incur in getting them, as I destroy my original statements upon checking they are correct. I had nothing to hide, I was just piddled off at being investigated twice within such a short period of time, and the blokes' sttitude toward me when I asked the simple question of why I was being investigated again. Sorry, but if they want my personal financial details, I have every right to ask why, and every right to expect an explanation.

The first time, I just got a reply apologising for inconveinence caused and confirmation that the investigation was complete and no changes would be made to my award. The second time, I got a reply telling me I was not receving ENOUGH tax credit and they would adjust my award so I would receive a higher amount.

scaredmumoffour · 11th November 2008, 11:10

Erika - twice in 4 months. Im not surprised you were fuming.
Well,the cut off date was yesterday for mine and childcare providers documents to be sent in. He has rec mine,not sure about the others. The compliance officer said he will be ringing this week with some questions. I am nervous about it but at the same time i want to get it over and done with. Im assuming he will have lots of questions for me. So,im just waiting by the phone this week.....

Messydesk · 13th November 2008, 16:56

What you have to remember that at this time you and your family and your new baby are the most important things in your life. Letters from officials whoever they are are always worded to scare you into paying/complying/admitting or whatever. It is up to them to prove you were living together - and thats always a hard one when you have an on/off partner - but lots of people do. Just deal with each piece of paper, telephone call, visitor whatever at the time it reaches you and then FORGET ABOUT IT. I know its hard but the only moment you have is this moment so that is the only moment that you can make a difference. Good luck.

scaredmumoffour · 14th November 2008, 19:29

Thanks for your reply.
I didnt get a call from the compliance officer this week. Not sure if thats a good or bad sign! I rang to see if he wanted copies of my husbands bank,work payslips,credit card bill over the last 18 months to show his home address ( not mine ) but he wasnt there!
My baby is due in 9 weeks ,am at that painful uncomfy big stage,and im keen to get this situation resolved. Ive never found anything so stressful!

Messydesk · 15th November 2008, 12:31

You must stop stressing over this - and I know this is easier said than done. It might help you to write everything down and get everything really clear in your mind. Put all the papers together in one place so that if you are asked questions at some stage you can refer to your file and know where to find everything. I would not bother to contact them again until they contact you - and hang on in there - everything sorts itself out in the end, you know.

MARTIN3030 · 15th November 2008, 13:21

Agreed.
All these are formalities that they have to look at.
Worrying wont change anything,and so you have to just try and stay focussed.

scaredmumoffour · 20th November 2008, 14:16

Update.
I have answered the compliance questions. At the end of the call he said he was happy with my explanations and hopefully will close the case in 2 weeks time.
Just hoping he wasnt just saying that and that il get a letter saying the complete opposite!
He wouldnt of said he was happy and closing the case if he didnt mean it would he?

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