Thank you Conniff but I have made an appointment with CAB for next Wednesday. I hope that by taking along the relevant paperwork I will be able to explain myself more thoroughly. Thank's for your advice though, you all do a wonderful job here at the CAG.

We have separate bedrooms of course but generally he doesn't eat here, in fact he spends little time here except to sleep. The only visit I got was an officer asking why I was not claiming income support and basically wanting to know how I managed on the money I was getting. I told her that I struggle: I am frugal with food shopping, have debts I am not paying and have no luxuries such as holidays/nights out etc. I didn't claim income support because I didn't want to, I am looking for work and TBH the £30 a week extra is not gonna make a world of difference.

Because I informed them a number of years ago when he began living here again. I know they were investigating us because my ex had told me that the local council had checked his credit file. They obviously had no conclusive evidence that we are living as a couple - because we are not, otherwise I expect they would have had me in for the interview under caution etc.

Do you think that is a good enough explanation? given it was in a phone call and she was only supposing that was the reason. The house we are living in is housing association and they were well aware that he was living here as a lodger.

I apologise for my incoherent ramblings. I have had the court summons and letters from benefits saying they have stopped my benefits/overpayments etc. I am just miffed as to how they can not give me an explanation, surely they have a code of conduct to follow. Thank you for your help I will take a look at Shelter right away.

Hi all, I would appreciate some advice if anyone could help as I am in a real pickle: My housing and council tax benefit was stopped around 3 months ago - I was never interviewed and no explanation was given ( I did phone them in and was told that 'she thinks it may be because I am believed to be living as a couple, She seemed as shocked as I was that their was no actual explanation or further information available) My ex-partner and father to my children is living with me but as a lodger - we DO NOT have a shared income or a personal relationship. I realise the situation is far from ideal and just felt helpless in their hands so never appealed the decision. I am now having to live on £130 a week and unable to pay my debts including £7000 overpayment of HB and £1200 of CT - a bailiff is coming around tomorrow to file a walking possession agreement for the council tax element!! I have been concentrating on paying the rent to keep a roof over our heads so have 'stupidly' ignored the others. The whole situation has left me sick with stress, I am still claiming family tax credits while looking for work and am terrified that will be taken away too. Can they actually stop my benefits with no real explanation and demand the overpayment back? I have just started looking into Debt Relief Orders, would this be applicable to me? Any information and help would be be very gratefully received