Homeoffice fees

[Lucky2shoes]

Dp is on limited leave to remain and we are so upset at what it's going to cost to renew for another 2.5 years. It's in the region of £4500. We both feel like our lives are wrecked and I feel like there is no point in my life anymore. I'm on zero hour contract as I'm unwell due to autism/adhd plus other conditions I can't work more hours and dp is full-time minimum wage we are not entitled to any benefits.
On top of all of this dp has dependants although mostly grown up in his home country who put immense pressure on him to help financially due to poor earnings.
I don't know what to do about this situation but I feel like checking out of my life but I feel so bad for dp who is a very good person.

What pathway are you on? Depending on this you may be subject to an older fee regime which is less. If not how much have you managed to save towards the next application? It's important to think if the process so you are spending your current LTR period planning for the next renewal both fees and evidence. I appreciate the process can be challenging if you are ND but your DP should be leading this. Is there any prospect of you being accepted in their home country if they have family there?

The HO fees are insane, but they are designed to dissuade people on very very low incomes from living here. Personally i think its immoral and counter-productive, but there you go. I didnt vote for these imbeciles.

Why is your DH only on minimum wage? Is there any chance of him finding a better job where he would earn more money? Does he have any skills, or language skills that he might be able to use to earn more?

Are you a British national? Surely you are entitled to some benefits otherwise how are you supporting yourselves on one NMW income? The only other option if you can't really work, would be for the two 9f you to move to his home country if that's even an option. Might be tricky for you though.

You need to separate your mh issues firm the visa. Can he temporarily reduce or stop payments home to save up? Do you not need certain level of reserves or earnings for him to remain here anyway. If he cannot afford ILR process is returning overseas an option? Is he entitled to Universal Credit to top up nmw ? It seems odd not unless his status has no recourse to public funding,

Meanwhile can you seek more urgent help for your mh via gp or local services?

Apply for a fee waiver due to low earnings. You’ll need to provide all your financials. You’ll still have to IHS fees which have gone up to £1,024 per year on Feb 6th - they’ve changed the date about 3x now so it might change again.

I’d get the fee waiver application in asap.

10 year route he got his leave on private/partner route.

Out of interest, if he's here as a partner why is on the 10 year route rather than 5?

A friend of mine got his passport a few years ago and that was in the region of £2000 with all the fees, exams, postage etc included that he eneded to apply. In compasiron, his brother in Germany paid around 250 euros.

Yes, it's absurd. My Dh is about do apply for ILR, with all the tests, appointment fees and a priority application since we can't wait 6 months, it's costing close to £4k.
You can apply for the fee to be waived, however it is not commonly awarded.
Are you receiving any PIP etc for yourself?
Commiserations OP, unfortunately there's not much that can be done. It is expensive and difficult by design.

As a couple what we earn is over the threshold for any benefits. Dp hasn't been able to improve himself as he has no skills, all though he is capable of alot and he doesn't drive and there isn't enough money or time to train etc we also have debt.
Dp is also constantly rejected for jobs.

We couldn't meet the financial requirements for 5 year route

I couldn't move to his home country I don't even understand the language.

I applied for pip couple of years ago but it was refused. They think I'm okay because I struggle on doing what's necessary.

The fee’s are expensive and some expected to rise this year (IHS going up a lot). I guess you have no choice but to pay so he needs to stop sending money home and prioritise the application.

You wouldn't believe the stress he gets from his home country about money it's horrendous.

He sends £400 each month home it has been more and he has explained the situation we are in but they still moan and put him on a guilt trip especially if one of them is sick etc.

How long does he have before ILR? Are you applying for for financial exemption again,?

We are not sure he was put on the 10 year route he has to renew around December 2024 for his 2nd 2.5 years after the 2nd extension finished we don't know if he can switch to 5 year or not

We still won't meet financial requirements so I'm guessing we are stuck on 10 year route

I think this also has to stop or be reduced- and he eneds to get rid of the feeling of guilt.

And if he just stopped ? Sorry I'm not buying that he has no skills . He should be eligible for some funded training if he has been here 10 years and most employers would offer some progression. How did he come to be here ? If he is unskilled and struggling it may not be in his best interest to stay longer term. Are you a UK national?

I'm so depressed I feel like crying as we wasn't expecting the fees to be so high our fault I guess. I needed to clear debt this year I'm so miserable and I go to bed and wake up thinking about this.
Dp is employed through an agency and a few times they have tried to lay him due to not enough work. I am in danger of losing hours.
I can't take anymore.

He has not been here 10 years, he is on the 10 year migration pathway. He will not be eligible for any funded training.

So if he can't afford to do both he'll have to pick what's more important to him. ILR or sending money to his family. If they pressure him then it's tough, he needs to be firm and say if he doesn't save for the HO fees he'll be coming home and they'll be getting nothing from them onwards anyway. He's sending £400 a month home, he can't expect to be on minimum wage and save enough for the fees while he's shipping cash off each month.

You say together you earn over the threshold for benefits but if he's on minimum wage this isn't the case. I expect a UC claim would expect you to work and that's why you can't claim?

What job is he doing currently? Is there any chance of progression? Or a Night shift that is better paid?
What kind if jobs are available in walking/ cycling distance? Might be worth having another look at the job market.

I understand you are on 0 hours for health reasons, but could you look for something else with fixed pt hours to boost your income?

Lastly, he needs to explain the situation to his family and start saving for his fees.

i married someone on ilr. he eventually got his citizenship. can't remember the cost was 20 years ago but we moved to his home country 10 years ago. I didn't speak the language- made no difference you learn quickly. Why stay somewhere if you can't make ends meet??