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Proof of separation - fiasco
(tis a bit long, sorry!)
I was just wondering if anyone else is in this situation... basically, I live with my mum, and she and my dad have been separated for about 10 years, and he lives 200 miles away from us. However nothing legal has ever been done because mum is a catholic and doesn't believe in divorce, and dad's pretty uncooperative about sorting anything else out. Anyway, I applied for a loan last year (didn't use it in the end because I deferred but anyway...) and they needed proof that they were separated etc, and used a tax reciept which had a discount for single occupancy on it, and that was all fine.
Not so this year. Now mum doesn't get the single occupancy discount because now I'm 19 and I count as another occupant. So we have no other proof of separation. We were told the other day that unless we provided legal documentation, then they'd have to assess my dad's income aswell. Apart from the fact that he wouldn't cooperate with them and would slow everything down, and the fact that he doesn't really have a steady job atm (he's training to be a plumber), he has never made any financial contribution to my school life, and won't when I'm at university, so why count his finance??
Another thing we could do is get a solicitor's letter showing they're separated, but that makes NO sense to me - they can't accept our word that he doesn't live with us, but they can accept our word told to someone else! Who we'd be paying!! Also, I doubt we could afford a solicitor and not sure if legal aid still exists. And all of this will take time and I want to get my forms sorted! They said that they can put me forward for a non-income assessed loan, but that just won't be enough. I won't get the full loan, I won't get the grant, and I won't get the grant from Durham either, all of which are completely necessary for me to go to university.
GRRR at the student finance people! I understand what they're saying but it's just so ridiculous...
I was just wondering if anyone else is in this situation... basically, I live with my mum, and she and my dad have been separated for about 10 years, and he lives 200 miles away from us. However nothing legal has ever been done because mum is a catholic and doesn't believe in divorce, and dad's pretty uncooperative about sorting anything else out. Anyway, I applied for a loan last year (didn't use it in the end because I deferred but anyway...) and they needed proof that they were separated etc, and used a tax reciept which had a discount for single occupancy on it, and that was all fine.
Not so this year. Now mum doesn't get the single occupancy discount because now I'm 19 and I count as another occupant. So we have no other proof of separation. We were told the other day that unless we provided legal documentation, then they'd have to assess my dad's income aswell. Apart from the fact that he wouldn't cooperate with them and would slow everything down, and the fact that he doesn't really have a steady job atm (he's training to be a plumber), he has never made any financial contribution to my school life, and won't when I'm at university, so why count his finance??
Another thing we could do is get a solicitor's letter showing they're separated, but that makes NO sense to me - they can't accept our word that he doesn't live with us, but they can accept our word told to someone else! Who we'd be paying!! Also, I doubt we could afford a solicitor and not sure if legal aid still exists. And all of this will take time and I want to get my forms sorted! They said that they can put me forward for a non-income assessed loan, but that just won't be enough. I won't get the full loan, I won't get the grant, and I won't get the grant from Durham either, all of which are completely necessary for me to go to university.
GRRR at the student finance people! I understand what they're saying but it's just so ridiculous...
I've got to do the same thing. I've been begging the Birmingham LEA to send me forms (my parents separated after I sent my forms off last year). I've had to pay fees and I should have got a grant, but they didn't send the forms, despite me asking at least 5 times! My dad's working on a solicitor's letter at the moment to get it all done legally.
I thought if you were separated for two years it was practically classed as a divorce anyway? I don't understand the law...
I thought if you were separated for two years it was practically classed as a divorce anyway? I don't understand the law...
If you think about it, needing a solicitor's letter makes sense, as otherwise everyone would be claiming their parents were divorced and thus getting loans and grants they weren't entitled to. The system is open to abuse in so many ways that it's good they've closed (or made harder) that one!
Yes, it's annoying for you, but I'm sure you'd find it annoying if everyone claimed too much so they had to lower the loans and grants drastically to cover the people claiming fraudulently!
Yes, legal aid still exists. Or some solicitors offer one hour free, but they might charge around £25 for a letter.
Yes, it's annoying for you, but I'm sure you'd find it annoying if everyone claimed too much so they had to lower the loans and grants drastically to cover the people claiming fraudulently!
Yes, legal aid still exists. Or some solicitors offer one hour free, but they might charge around £25 for a letter.
Juno
If you think about it, needing a solicitor's letter makes sense, as otherwise everyone would be claiming their parents were divorced and thus getting loans and grants they weren't entitled to. The system is open to abuse in so many ways that it's good they've closed (or made harder) that one!
Yes, it's annoying for you, but I'm sure you'd find it annoying if everyone claimed too much so they had to lower the loans and grants drastically to cover the people claiming fraudulently!
Yes, legal aid still exists. Or some solicitors offer one hour free, but they might charge around £25 for a letter.
Yes, it's annoying for you, but I'm sure you'd find it annoying if everyone claimed too much so they had to lower the loans and grants drastically to cover the people claiming fraudulently!
Yes, legal aid still exists. Or some solicitors offer one hour free, but they might charge around £25 for a letter.
Yes, I am aware that they do need proof to stop fraudulent people claiming, but what I'm saying is, couldn't anyone get a solicitor to say they were separated, even if they weren't? I'm sure a solicitor (unless they were crooked lol) wouldn't deliberately defraud the gov but some people can be v convincing etc. If there's no direct proof we can show the gov then there is also no direct proof we can show the solicitor, so ultimately it still comes back to people's word again, just told to someone in authority.
Most people will have got a solicitor involved when they split up though, so they've already got proof. And there are loads of things you can show a solicitor, but the student loans company won't have time to wade through it! Like your dad won't be registered on the electoral roll at that address, or your parents won't have a joint bank account, or he changed his driving licence address etc.
Juno
Most people will have got a solicitor involved when they split up though, so they've already got proof. And there are loads of things you can show a solicitor, but the student loans company won't have time to wade through it! Like your dad won't be registered on the electoral roll at that address, or your parents won't have a joint bank account, or he changed his driving licence address etc.
Oo those are some good proofs! Cheers
I have a similar situation my parents separated about 2 years ago. as soon as i received the applictaion form from the LEA i pretty much made my mum go to the solicitor and get the letter.
basically they didnt even ask for any proof or anything only about her income.she got the letter straight away and it was only £30.
basically they didnt even ask for any proof or anything only about her income.she got the letter straight away and it was only £30.
My parents had been separated a couple of years when I started university. My dad was renting a flat and my mum had bought a house separately. I sent off copies of his tenancy agreement and her purchase agreement (which both showed dates, their individual names and separate addresses) and it was all fine. Have you got any similar documents you could send?
bewithoutyou
My parents had been separated a couple of years when I started university. My dad was renting a flat and my mum had bought a house separately. I sent off copies of his tenancy agreement and her purchase agreement (which both showed dates, their individual names and separate addresses) and it was all fine. Have you got any similar documents you could send?
That's a good idea, I'll look into it. Thanks!
Also Brommika - thanks, I think my mum's going to find out some stuff about solicitors soon. Thanks for ur help
Here is your answer:-
So long as it is just you and your mum in the property who are over 18!!
As a student you are exempt from council tax.
You need to get an exemption certificate from your uni and take this to the council tax office.
Your mum is still entitled to the 25% discount because you are not liable to pay council tax.
Now everyone wins - you get your proof and your mum gets a reduction in her council tax bill!!
Obviously, if you have other adults living in the property this won't help.
So long as it is just you and your mum in the property who are over 18!!
As a student you are exempt from council tax.
You need to get an exemption certificate from your uni and take this to the council tax office.
Your mum is still entitled to the 25% discount because you are not liable to pay council tax.
Now everyone wins - you get your proof and your mum gets a reduction in her council tax bill!!
Obviously, if you have other adults living in the property this won't help.
Thanks for the advice Greenmile
I don't think that'd work though because I'm not at uni yet - starting in October. But I'll remember that for when I do go, and she should get the discount again woo Thanks!
We went to the solicitor yesterday and he's gonna write us a letter for about £16, which me and my bro are going to pay for, so should be fine now. Hopefully! Thanks to everyone for the advice!
I don't think that'd work though because I'm not at uni yet - starting in October. But I'll remember that for when I do go, and she should get the discount again woo
Thanks! We went to the solicitor yesterday and he's gonna write us a letter for about £16, which me and my bro are going to pay for, so should be fine now. Hopefully!
Thanks to everyone for the advice! My brother said they accepted sending of both our parents driving liscences - my mothers of which had been updated to her new address.
DanGrover
My brother said they accepted sending of both our parents driving liscences - my mothers of which had been updated to her new address.
Yeah someone else has mentioned the driving licence thing, it's a good idea I never thought of. But the woman at my LEA was being really strict about it and was like, I need a legal document!! Grr. But yeah, should be sorted now, getting the letter on monday. Phew!
*soph*
Won't a driving licence count as a legal document? It's an official proof of identity and address and issued by the government, so might be worth a try.
Yeah you're right but there's no real point now, unless they refuse the letter (which they better not lol!) Also my dad lives in Leicester so he'd have to send me a photocopy or something. Will probably do that if this letter isn't ok but it better be considering I'm paying for it lol!
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