CCM6780 - Particular Aspects: Work & Hours - Self-employed Claimants - System Interrogation/Third Parties

A particular pattern has been observed in a number of claims where Claimant A is cleaning for Claimant B, Claimant B is cleaning for Claimant C, then Claimant C would clean for Claimant A. Where this happens you must consider whether on the balance of probability what is being claimed make sense.

It is credible that Claimant B, who is claiming tax credits would be able to afford to pay the amount stated by Claimant A?

If each claimant is just cleaning for 1 person how would they meet the 16 hours criteria?

If all the claimants are from the same address would the premises be big enough for all the people to be working 16 or 30 hours to clean it.

Although the tax credit act allows us third party powers to contact employers, a person whom a self employed person provides a service is not an employer. Therefore we can not approach a person or company named on an invoice, named in a diary etc.

We can verify whether the company exists through HMRC systems or companies house. If we can not find any company details then we can on balance of probability believe the information given is incorrect, see CCM6800 

If the claimant names a customer and that customer is also claiming tax credits, we can still not approach them for information.