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 do not qualify for the council tax discount as you do not live alone. It's numbers of adults residing in your house that decides that. Not that you are single.

That's ridiculous re divorce paperwork being too old. I'd have probably said "can you show me where, in law, it says I become married again X years after my divorce?"

In reality I'd refer them back to the government's website listed above and point out that nowhere on there does it say that the divorce has a time limit on it.

This website has policy documents which says they'll ask for evidence, but again, doesn't specify an expiry date on a divorce.

Get a solicitor's letter if you have to, but I'd avoid spending any extra money at all costs.

Just jumping in to say I hate student finance as well. Just done my first year, got childcare element for my baby for nursery. My second year they rejected my funding for the childcare bit and said universal credit should cover the costs, they won’t as I am a full time student . So student finance said I would just have to pay for it (£1,000 a month) out my finance payments … leaving me with £200 a month to cover rent and bills lol 😂 just a joke. They said they fund first year childcare but 2nd and 3rd they don’t ! So I’m now having to abandon my degree ! What a waste 😡

I don't think OP was having a moan about it - being able to provide evidence of a 25% discount is accepted by student finance as proof of being single, but as her adult son lives there too she can't prove it that way.

I sincerely hope divorces don't expire. FFS

I got a Solicitor to draw up a statutory declaration for something a couple of years ago and it cost me £60. It's a pointless waste of money because the Solicitor would have no more idea if you were lying than student finance do but it may be the simplest way forward.

This must be either a new thing as when DD went to uni in 2010 my divorce papers from 1999 were accepted.

Apologies for the random "either".

A hormonal profile? As mine are currently working very effectively at keeping men at bay 😀

Id be interested to know what they come back with.

So sorry you are experiencing this. It is stressful.

My guess is, that somebody there can't be bothered to assess you properly. I got divorced eleven years ago, and my divorce certificate sufficed.

Although originally they didn't bother to do an income asseessment and I had to push for them to do it 'oh, they said, we haven't income asessed you yet'...(they had already sent out a letter detailing my DD was entiled to only the minimum loan which sent an already stressed out A level exam student into melt down.

However they did get it right second time.

And yes, I would make a complaint - sometimes it is the only way to get things done.

Oh and that was student finance for THIS year, start 2023 so why they aren't accepting your divorce certificate and they did mine - probably sheer laziness or inocompetence. Stay polite and complain.

I had to produce my divorce certificate from 1993 last year. I was fuming anyway (name change debacle), I would probably have exploded if it was deemed 'too old'.

@Downtherefordancing I had this.
I was asked to provide "a solicitors letter".
Apart from the fact i couldn't afford a solicitor, this is inaccurate bullshit.

What you need is a Statutory Declaration.
You can draw it up yourself.
You can find the wording for the Header and Footer(bit attop and bottom) online. Must be accurate.
Then, between the two, bullet point your facts.
Mine were- on x date married, on x date child born, on xdate separated, child liveswith me, not in a relationship, I am the person responsible for this child.

Make an appointment at local solicitor, telling them what it's for. They witness your signature.
Their fee for this is fixed by law: it's five pounds.

You can pay a solicitor to draw it up, if you like throwing money away.
Just do it yourself.

Have you got your household details on-line that you update for elections etc? That should specify who lives there and possibly ages if you're lucky.

OP (and anyone else being messed around by student finance, particularly @Whatisthefuss ), write to your MP. On three separate occasions I had to get my MP involved because the people at student finance were talking absolute rubbish at me. Each time the issue was sorted quickly (and correctly) once the MP got involved.

As an aside, this is another massive barrier for disadvantaged children. If they want to study at university schools will help with applications. But schools can't help much with student finance, and it often takes a lot of effort, understanding the system, refusing to accept what student finance tell you on the phone and being prepared to contact an MP over it. That is beyond the ability of plenty of fully grown adults, let alone a 17yo.

Hi all,
Does anyone know if SFE check previous canceled applications for details?

I am asking because I applied in 2024 and I provided my boyfriend's details as living with a partner details but I canceled the application and I didn't enroll at uni all.

I am planning to apply in September but at the moment I live at my friend's house temporarily. So, basically I will not be able to provide any proof that I am no longer with him.
Has anyone been in the same situation and how did you resolve it?

Every response will be appreciated 😊

@@ToBeOrNotToBee

Fucking hell!!!

@ToBeOrNotToBee

Just wait for some moron to say yes but she died in x year it is now 2025.......!!!

Can you ask for a copy of the adults, ie you, 21 YO DD and no partner of yours who are registered at your address for voting purposes?

https://www.gov.uk/contact-electoral-registration-office

You might be able to do it under the Freedom of Information Act, meaning they won't charge you or only a nominal fee.

How on earth can divorce papers be too old ??
do they have weed addled students doing their admin ?