Evidence proving an adult dependent

As parents/sponsors we have just recieved this email:

"You have listed a dependant that is over the age of 18 and not in full time
education. In order to include them in the assessment we would need
clarification of how they are financially dependent upon you, with
photocopies of any supporting evidence as applicable.

Once we receive this information, we will be able to progress [the student's]
application further and ensure they receive the correct entitlements."

We are not giving our dependant adult any kind of allowance, but they live at our address and don't contribute financially to any bills or food (just turned 18, on a gap year in poorly paid job and living at home).

I'm at a loss as to how we 'prove' this dependancy? We do pay for their phone contract, but on our joint bank statements there is no way to identify that it's their phone we are paying for.

I can provide a copy of their birth certificate, their bank statement for the address. What else?

The email had no links to help or even list what was required. Very unhelpful. I already spent 4hrs on the phone to SFE last week!

Reply 1

Leah SLC

Official Rep

Hi there. If the child dependant is 18 or over and not in full time education, we would need to see evidence to confirm they are wholly or mainly financially dependent on the sponsor. This means that without financial support from the sponsors, the dependant would be unable to meet their essential needs (food, accommodation etc). This includes medical/physical dependency.

The sponsor can send a cover letter explaining how the child is dependent on them along with copies of evidence. The type of evidence will depend on the child and sponsor’s situation, please see the examples below.

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Evidence of dependents low/no income (bank statements, payslips etc). Evidence of the sponsor transferring money or paying bills on the child’s behalf (banks statements/Western Union evidence showing transfers, mobile phone bill, rent/utility bills).

Thanks, Leah.

Reply 2

Yellow64

Original post by Leah SLC

Hi there. If the child dependant is 18 or over and not in full time education, we would need to see evidence to confirm they are wholly or mainly financially dependent on the sponsor. This means that without financial support from the sponsors, the dependant would be unable to meet their essential needs (food, accommodation etc). This includes medical/physical dependency.
The sponsor can send a cover letter explaining how the child is dependent on them along with copies of evidence. The type of evidence will depend on the child and sponsor’s situation, please see the examples below.

•

Thanks, Leah.

Thanks Leah,
I still don't get it tbh. I don't feel I can prove much except that they live here, what their pay is and that we pay for their phone. Utilities and food are just paid by us as parents and are in our name, so that is a hidden cost. We do not pay them an allowance as they buy their own clothes and sundries. Will this be enough with a covering letter?

Reply 3

Ross SLC

Official Rep

Original post by Yellow64

Hi there,

Yeah you can state it in a cover letter. If you have any proof that you do pay the phone bill for them please also send that over.

Thanks,
Ross