child tax credit

[guysach]

Hello all
Me and my ex wife was claming child tax credits.. she was the wage earner and I was house husband had no money coming in I looked after 2 kids during the day. The day I left I called tax credits told them I had moved out. Did not make new claim with them. Now they say we was over paid �291 and I must pay it back even though I never received any of the money (she paid all the bills and handled the money)

She is still working full time and I have no money coming at all. The only money I get is child benefit and maintenance from her .
So will I have to pay or her
thanks

[bednobs]

who was claiming the credits? - whose name did they come in?

[guysach]

the claim was made based on her wage. and because we was married when she filled out the forms she told them i was the husband and we had 2 kids. so both of our names came on the paper work

[wolf63]

I would query WHY you were overpaid and for what period. It 'may' have nothing to do with you moving out.

If you don't understand the letter that you got from them ask at the CAB and they will help explain it to you.

[padanarm]

When you applied as a couple you probably nominated one person to receive the child tax credits (CTC). That's usually the same person who receives the child benefit. You should be able to check with HMRC which bank account the payment went into.

When you told them you left they would have stopped the joint claim from the date you said you were no longer a couple. A payment may have already been sent out, hence the overpayment.

You would no longer be entitled to CTC as a couple from that date BUT you may be entitled to the CTC as a single parent (�96 a week or so for two children). This could be backdated to the date you left and may sort out any overpayment.

Your local CAB can help you with this.