How the F* do I prove I’m single?

[Downtherefordancing]

We are filling the forms in for the student funding for my son’s place in college in Edinburgh from August.

They have refused my divorce paperwork as proof because it’s too old (from 2014).

I cannot claim single person discount for council tax because my 21 yr old DD lives here too.

I do not claim tax credits.

What can I send them to prove I’m single??

You can swear a declaration at the solicitors and they should accept that.
A pain I know, I have dealt with student finance for three children and they are dreadful.
Good luck

What? I've done student finance forms for my oldest recently and there was no hassle at all about proving I'm single

Thanks both. I’ve replied saying I have no other proof and asked them what I can send to prove I’m single. Let’s see what they come up with 😵‍💫

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-students-parents-and-partners-providing-evidence-to-support-a-student-finance-application#:~:text=a%20signed%20and%20dated%20letter,bill%20with%20an%20acceptable%20discount

They want a solicitor's letter if they won't take the divorce paperwork although that is listed as acceptable documentation. I don't suppose you have the council tax bill from when it went up to full charge? It sometimes refers to a "rising 18" child turning 18 so a full charge is applied. Failing that a solicitor's letter which will no doubt cost you. Completely shit.

Utterly ridiculous situation. Ask them if they want to come round and look?!

Thanks again. I’m in the middle of moving house so in constant contact with my solicitor so they may do this without a big bill

I did think that Hattyhathat .. come round and take a look 😊

That's correct re your council tax though as you have another adult living with you - it's not about being single, it's about how many adults live there.

No idea re the uni funding though!

Electoral roll?

Student Finance England are utterly useless. Batshit. The day I no longer have to deal with them again can't come soon enough, although DD3 still has one more year of her undergraduate degree left to complete.

They were prepared to leave her penniless in South America on the first leg of her obligatory year abroad even though we had supplied all information, which they kept deleting and losing.

Eventually, it took action from our MP to put a rocket up their collective arse and sort things out.

Useless bunch, and about the only apparently legitimate financial organisation I've come across who aren't regulated by the FCA. They are government loan sharks IMHO.

Surely your council tax shows your name and your DD's name and...no other?
Does that not prove that no other adults are in the house?

No because I know my council tax only shows my name but doesn't have the 2nd person discount. I had to do a statutory declaration at the solicitors.

What's their reasoning for the divorce papers being too old? I got my decree absolute in 2020 and that has always been accepted for all my DC and for my own OU degree

You complain and complain. Companies try this all of the time. It isn't for you to have to prove, it's only for them to explore if there is very clear evidence you are not single. When people complain the companies get their arse handed to them.

It's even worse for mums who solo parent, and is an equalities issue.

Student Finance are woeful.

I had to prove every year that my mum was still very much dead by sending in her death certificate.

It's not like she would magically come back to life 🙄

My face would be "Well, I'm not marrying him again just to give you fresh divorce papers!"

This is really strange tbh. My mum divorced in 1996, stayed single and had no trouble with my brother's student finance (a few years ago now but not that long ago).

Council Tax bill showing single parent discount was what I used when my son went to university.

A screenshot of 192.com showing who lives at your address?

That's shocking! I don't have kids so I've never been through this (and never went to uni) but that really is bad...

They have refused my divorce paperwork as proof because it’s too old (from 2014).

I'd ask them to show you the guidelines stating this is too old. I very much doubt it's too old for all the other agencies that require evidence of a divorce.

Her adult DD lives at home so she is not entitled to this.

How does prove you're single?

She doesn't have to be single as in no bf. Single as in no other adult who isn't her adult child or lodger paying towards the household as student loans would need to take that income into account

Madness really that a step parents income is taken with a parent and not just both parents. As many live 50 50 so would just put the poorest parent on the form surely.

I had to get a solicitors letter as I'm not yet divorced. £280!

And what proof did the solicitor need that I was single? Bugger all. I just told them.

I'm on benefits as I'm a carer doe my disabled (adult) son, so it's money I would rather not have spent on a piece of paper. Divorce is going through now!

I can't believe divorce paperwork is too old. Weird.

I just also think divorce should be irrelevant as they are still their dad so finance should be based on both parents not just the mum or mum and step dad.
But I guess our society sees dad's as not financially responsible so it's not a surprise. Even when the student sees their dad a lot and is rich.