Got a letter through on Saturday.

Have been claiming as a single parent since July 2009 when dh and I split up, got back together sept 2010 (but no proof he was not in the house)

I have falsely claimed from sept 2010 until getting the letter on Saturday. I won't even bother making excuses the lie just got out of control.

In the letter it says that they are looking at the 2011/2012 claim but nothing yet about previous years. Have seen people on here say though that they only investigate the years it mentions on the letter?

Anyway- have tried calling them on the special number all week but it is constantly giving a message saying the call cannot connect? Not sure if there is a fault or not. Tried calling the normal tax credits number but they won't transfer me.

Can I write a letter instead?

It says just to call on the letter they sent me but I'm going out my mind and want it sorted ASAP.

What would I write in a letter? Would I admit right away to husband being here since 2010 or say he was living with me for the year in question. Any help with wording would be great. Also I don't want to make a joint claim I want the money paid back and to never deal with them again, would they agree to this or will I definitely have to go through a investigation?

The line is EXTREMELY busy due to the deadline coming up. Took me six weeks to get through to tell them I hadn't received my renewal pack.

Other people will be able to advise better than me on what to do next

Hello there.

I know you have another thread and it may end up having this one merged into it, to keep all the info together.

I don't remember if you've seen the CAB? They may be able to ring HMRC for you, I know they've helped other caggers, otherwise I expect they would be able to help you write a letter. I agree with being honest, I think it will look better for you in the long run.

My best, HB

I went to cab yesterday but did not get anything more than i have already got here. The guy had to keep going to ask his manager things and I knew he was looking down his nose at me (can't blame him but don't want to put myself through that again) have tried 87 times now to call them (shows it on my phone) so I think I may just write.

Do I just send it to the Preston address?

Am going to stay with family for two weeks this Saturday and won't have a signal as they are in the sticks. Obviously don't want to be phoning in front if them either!

Was just thinking off writing that further to their letter I want to admit/disclose (which sounds better) that partner moved back in sept 2010. Also that I claimed to be working last year when I wasn't as I know I was going to have a big repayment at the end of the year and by that point I was in such a mess I did not know what to do for the best.

Does that sound about right?

Well I've done it!

Hope I sent it to the right address.

I did not give dates of when husband moved back in as I am stupidly hoping they will only want money back from the 2011/12 year but it was "only" 6 months before that he moved back in so we will see.

Also put that I was not working from aug 2011- April 2012 even though I claimed I was. I actually left work in June 2010 but my maternity leave was till august 2011 and from what I have read you are still technically working during this time.

Letter was send special delivery so will be there by 1pm tomorrow!! Scary stuff.

Can anyone tell me what the next step will be? Do they always ask for bank statements?

Anyone know what will happen next?

so you got back together but he was not living with you? as far as i was aware and came make out to be classed as a couple you have to live together? maybe i'm mis-reading it.

so you got back together but he was not living with you? as far as i was aware and came make out to be classed as a couple you have to live together? maybe i'm mis-reading it.

We split July 2009 and got back together sept/oct 2010.

Was going to confess at the April renewal 2011 but were struggling for money at this point and the lie just went from bad to worse.

In the letter they sent me last week they were querying my 2011/2012 single claim so I am selfishly hoping that's what I will have to pay back.

ALSO

I went on maternity leave July 2010 till August 2011 but never phoned tax credits to say I was no longer working (so they would not ask me to repay the working tax credit bit)

Where I think it looks really really bad for me is I only phoned to say I had given up work in march (just before the renewal packs came out) then I went self employed it April, but because I had been claiming that I was working as a single parent for the full year I had to make up a p60 total for the year (was about £4.500 I said as in my previous job I only worked 16 hours a week term time only)

I have told them the working part though before they start to investigate so that everything is now out in the open. I hope this goes in my favour?

Would really like to know what to expect next though, from reading just about every thread on here it looks like tax credits don't investigate as such (asking for bank statements etc) but instead just send out a letter telling you how much you have overpaid. I'm really hoping this is the case for me.

If it makes any difference it's "only" tax credits I have fiddled. Have never claimed income support/housing benefit/free dental treatment/free school meals/ help towards childcare.

Sorry honeybee, I thought I might have got more responses posting a new thread. Move them together if it's easier. Have a feeling I may be here a while

right i have totally mis-read thing i had no idea what "DH" stood for.

So when you split up i'm guessing he moved out? would there be any bills etc with his name on it where he moved to?

right i have totally mis-read thing i had no idea what "DH" stood for.

So when you split up i'm guessing he moved out? would there be any bills etc with his name on it where he moved to?

Have you had any update since sending letter in?

We split July 2009 and got back together sept/oct 2010.

 

Was going to confess at the April renewal 2011 but were struggling for money at this point and the lie just went from bad to worse.

 

In the letter they sent me last week they were q

 

 

 

uerying my 2011/2012 single claim so I am selfishly hoping that's what I will have to pay back.

 

ALSO

 

I went on maternity leave July 2010 till August 2011 but never phoned tax credits to say I was no longer working (so they would not ask me to repay the working tax credit bit)

 

Where I think it looks really really bad for me is I only phoned to say I had given up work in march (just before the renewal packs came out) then I went self employed it April, but because I had been claiming that I was working as a single parent for the full year I had to make up a p60 total for the year (was about £4.500 I said as in my previous job I only worked 16 hours a week term time only)

 

I have told them the working part though before they start to investigate so that everything is now out in the open. I hope this goes in my favour?

 

Would really like to know what to expect next though, from reading just about every thread on here it looks like tax credits don't investigate as such (asking for bank statements etc) but instead just send out a letter telling you how much you have overpaid. I'm really hoping this is the case for me.

 

If it makes any difference it's "only" tax credits I have fiddled. Have never claimed income support/housing benefit/free dental treatment/free school meals/ help towards childcare.

Have you had any reply yet?

Have you had any reply yet?

The cut off date for me getting in touch was yesterday and I had still not heard if they had received my letter or not so I have just called them and she said she had my letter on her desk.

As everything is so busy she has not had a chance to go over it but she is hoping to call me back by tomorrow.

She also said there is not enough info in the letter to proceed and they will need to investigate further which I knew would happen but I'm really frightened about what kind of investigation she means.

Have not told anyone about this and the stress is killing me.

*****UPDATE*****

Am just of the phone to tax credits. She called me back like she said she would yesterday.

She has stopped my claim from today and I have to pay back all the money I have received since 6th April last year.

I have just cried with relief, this is absolutely the best outcome for me. I was terrified my husband who knows nothing about this (even now) would be dragged into it and may have been in trouble at work, was worried for my children and family also being tarred with the same brush as me if this came out.

My family are so honest and hardworking and I am so ashamed off how I have turned out.

I need to work it out properly but think it will be about 15k.

I asked if this was def what was going to happen and would I def not be prosecuted and she said no it would not go to court I just need to pay the money back (fingers crossed this does not change!!!)

I am so so ashamed but relieved that now I can start to pit it right.

She said I could put in a joint claim from last year but I just want this paid back and never want to deal with them again.

Hello there.

Thank you for letting us know, I'm pleased for you. And I'm sure in time you'll feel better about it too. At least you know what you're facing now and can move on with life.

My best, HB

Did the ask about anything before 2011/12 ?

Just wondered if they asked you to confirm the date he moved back in and did they ask anything about 2011/12

Just wondered if they asked you to confirm the date he moved back in and did they ask anything about 2011/12

They asked when he moved back in, I said late 2010 and they said they were on investigating 2011/2012 and that's what I would be paying back.

I have seen several others on here saying the same thing happened to them.

Please try not to worry to much I have seen your other posts and it really won't do any good making yourself ill.

You (we) did wrong and have been caught so now we just have to deal with it

I also have to sort the council tax as I need to tell them about my living circumstances and that I shouldn't of claimed the 25% last year.Really worried about ringing them. Surely it will just be a case of admitting the facts to them and removing the discount and paying the extra won't it. I know I need to do it quickly as the last thing I want is them contacting me! How ridiculous, all this concern but no-one to blame but myself. Surely I won't be penalised any further for coming forward. What will they do just ask me for the extra money owed. Any-one any ideas? I just need to pluck up the courage. Want to get it over and done with before the weekend so I can relax.

As far as I can make out the dwp who deal with council tax are a lot more aggressive with how they deal with fraud.

I can only repeat what I have seen on here so hopefully someone else can give you some advise but I think the dwp will prosecute for anything over 2k. How much do you owe?

Seems totally wrong that one government department will prosecute for 2k while another just wants the overpayments back which could be tens of thousands more.

Yes I've read that too,but I imagine thats linked to housing benefit as well. but I can't see how they can come down heavy on you when you actually volunteer the information and offer to pay it back straight away. Not much info on here about council tax single parent discount.Seems I must be the only one!!!. For 2011-12 being the years in question its about £300 I owe so not a great deal. I've decided to write to them both anyway, Council tax and tax credits, can't face ringing. Just difficult to find the right wording.

Yes I've read that too,but I imagine thats linked to housing benefit as well. but I can't see how they can come down heavy on you when you actually volunteer the information and offer to pay it back straight away. Not much info on here about council tax single parent discount.Seems I must be the only one!!!. For 2011-12 being the years in question its about £300 I owe so not a great deal. I've decided to write to them both anyway, Council tax and tax credits, can't face ringing. Just difficult to find the right wording.

Have you had a response yet Jane. Take comfort in the fact it's not just you.

No reply but its all sorted now. I have a rather large repayment to be made to tax credits. Just wondered if anyone has any info on time spans allowed to pay back. They state 12 months but its quite a some to pay back over that period of time. They tell you to ring them to discuss if you want to try and arrange a longer period. Just wanted to get an idea of what arrangements they would consider and if you need to provide a detailed account of your expenditure first. Anyone any experience of this.

Hi can you tell me how you are paying back the 15k?? I am pretty much the exact same situation and. I received the letter yesterday planning on trying to call tomorrow. Are you still allowed to claim as a couple or are you 'barred'??

Thanks -x-

*****UPDATE*****

 

Am just of the phone to tax credits. She called me back like she said she would yesterday.

 

She has stopped my claim from today and I have to pay back all the money I have received since 6th April last year.

 

I have just cried with relief, this is absolutely the best outcome for me. I was terrified my husband who knows nothing about this (even now) would be dragged into it and may have been in trouble at work, was worried for my children and family also being tarred with the same brush as me if this came out.

 

My family are so honest and hardworking and I am so ashamed off how I have turned out.

 

I need to work it out properly but think it will be about 15k.

 

I asked if this was def what was going to happen and would I def not be prosecuted and she said no it would not go to court I just need to pay the money back (fingers crossed this does not change!!!)

 

I am so so ashamed but relieved that now I can start to pit it right.

 

She said I could put in a joint claim from last year but I just want this paid back and never want to deal with them again.

As far as I can make out the dwp who deal with council tax are a lot more aggressive with how they deal with fraud.

 

I can only repeat what I have seen on here so hopefully someone else can give you some advise but I think the dwp will prosecute for anything over 2k. How much do you owe?

 

Seems totally wrong that one government department will prosecute for 2k while another just wants the overpayments back which could be tens of thousands more.

You're not kidding! It's crazy & since coming on here & seeing how it works, I so wish I could find a fella to move in with his full time wage & keep claiming my single working tax credits! Hopefully we wouldn't be found out for another year, then only have to pay back from next april anyway. Could get a lot of debt out the way in that case that I had to borrow to pay ALL of my housing benefit over payment back.

I am saying all this tongue in cheek of course lol