The Student Room Group

SFE won't accept my evidence :(

Hi!

I'm studying in my first year at the moment and the finance I'm currently receiving is based off my mother's income and her boyfriend (at the time of the application). He earned a lot more than my mother, and even though they weren't married/he wasn't my dad his income was included, which I understand as is household income (even if the system is a bit flawed there :colondollar:).

But anyway, as of November last year, they're no longer together and it's been an ongoing battle to prove to student finance. My mother has submitted countless bills/accounts in her sole name, and even our council tax form which shows a 25% discount as "all residents except one are disregarded" (i.e. me, as I'm living at home with my mother). But SFE won't accept this as it doesn't explicitly say "single persons discount", after talking to the council they can't supply me with a form that says that as there are two of us living there (me and my mum), but even after explaining to SFE and them seeing the 25% discount it's still a problem to get a funding reassessed :frown:

Any help or ideas?

I understand I could get a solicitor's letter but is a bit of money/hassle for something I've already tried to prove for 5 months.
It sounds as though SFE does not understand how CT discounts work. Your mum would only be a single person if you had no intention of returning home, in which case you'd be estranged and basing a claim on your income only. You could try writing/ emailing your MP - how helpful they might be depends on who they are, and how likely they are to be re-elected - and they're all a bit busy at the moment until after the election.

Citizens Advice Bureau might be another port of call - they don't charge money.

Has SFE told you or your mum what evidence they would accept? Wondering whether you would be in a position to demonstrate that her ex is living somewhere else (although I can see that might be difficult).
Original post by cheshiremum
It sounds as though SFE does not understand how CT discounts work. Your mum would only be a single person if you had no intention of returning home, in which case you'd be estranged and basing a claim on your income only. You could try writing/ emailing your MP - how helpful they might be depends on who they are, and how likely they are to be re-elected - and they're all a bit busy at the moment until after the election.

Citizens Advice Bureau might be another port of call - they don't charge money.

Has SFE told you or your mum what evidence they would accept? Wondering whether you would be in a position to demonstrate that her ex is living somewhere else (although I can see that might be difficult).


OP would definitley need to wait until after the election, their aren't any MP's atm and candidates aren't allowed to help
Original post by jelly1000
OP would definitely need to wait until after the election, their aren't any MP's atm and candidates aren't allowed to help

Technically anyone who wants to help can! But yes, also, technically there are no MPs - and when there are, they vary in helpfulness. In some constituencies it's a fair bet that the sitting (non) MP will be returned again, but even so they'll be busy straight after the election, setting offices up again etc. That's a bit long to wait.

I don't know what OP has already said to sfe - so apologies if this is redundant but - maybe something along hte lines of: you asked for proof from the Local Authority that my mother's partner was no longer resident. I have enclosed a letter from them confirming that apart from my mother all residents are disregarded for the purposes of Council Tax. They cannot provide a letter confirming that she receives SPD, as I still live at home for part of the year. However, if her partner was still resident, he would NOT be a disregarded person. What further evidence can we provide?
Who is named on the CT bill? For example, on mine, it just has me. (because I live alone) Your mum's bill should just have her name because she's the only one responsible - because as a full time student, you're exempt.
Hi, I know this was years ago but I am having the exact same issue now. My status has changed but they won’t accept my council tax bill and have tried everything to get them to see I am now a single occupier. Did you provide anything else which could help me?
Original post by Jodietay30
Hi, I know this was years ago but I am having the exact same issue now. My status has changed but they won’t accept my council tax bill and have tried everything to get them to see I am now a single occupier. Did you provide anything else which could help me?


The OP hasn't been active on the forum since they made this thread.