Proving I’m single to student finance

[Monstermissy36]

My ds has started uni this year, he’s 24 but has autism so it’s taken him a bit longer to be ready for this and it’s a big move for him. He wanted to fill in all the paperwork etc himself and has somehow made an error with his student finance. He was awarded the minimum amount which won’t cover rent so we had to have it reassessed.

in the process they want me to prove I’m single… they want a divorce certificate (I’ve never been married) a mortgage statement (their dad is still on mortgage as could never afford to buy him out or sort it out) a council tax bill showing single person discount (I have my adult son at home so don’t qualify for this)

I have lived and been single since 2011 but how an earth an I meant to prove it? I have sent my bill statements for utilities and explained but they are going round in circles asking for stuff I don’t have.

I'm not a high earner I earn 32k

phoning again tomorrow and just wondered if anyone had been in a similar situation?

I used to work at a Higher Education establishment.

Has your Son previously been a full-time student? Can you give the approx dates?

Was this at a College?

Is he formally enrolled into a course at University and has his offer letter stating it is a full-time course?

he did apply for uni at 18 but only went for a few weeks and paid back his maintenance loan instalment he received. Otherwise only done level 3 study at a local college.

he is away at uni now and attending, he’s had his first instalment of student finance but obviously it’s not right as it’s been calculated wrong.

the sticking point seems to be me being able to prove I am a single parent… which I don’t believe I had to do when his brother went to uni a few years ago.

Is the adult son who is living with you the one who is away at university? If so you can apply for single person discount as he is living elsewhere. Then use the next council tax bill. If not that is tricky, they’re essentially asking you to prove the non existence of someone.

This is what you need:

A copy of his offer letter (or equivalent) showing your Son is on a full-time course (an email, photo or hard copy). If he hasn't got this, ask him to get a copy from student services. It's a good item to keep.

In the meantime, contact Council Tax tomorrow (or online) and explain your Son is a full-time student and you wish to claim an exemption for him. This will mean he is disregarded for Council Tax and your bill will be amended with a 25% reduction (if you are now the sole occupant?).

Depending on your Council, some will ask for his University letter, others will take your word for it and ask you to sign a declaration.

The revised Council Tax bill showing a student reduction will suffice student finance.

https://www.gov.uk/council-tax/discounts-for-full-time-students

Alternatives - any benefits records that could show you’re single claimant?

Electoral roll of your current address - shows just you and son(s) could send alongside their birth certs.

A signed declaration that you’re single? Or a solicitor statutory declaration you pay for?

I have another son aged 19 at home so can’t get single person discount, I don’t claim any benefits. I am ringing them this morning and did think about the electoral roll as it will clearly state it’s just me and my sons (one of which is at uni now)

they are absolutely trying to get me to prove someone does not exist and because I don’t have the usual proof, it’s causing an issue. People’s circumstances are all so unique these days!

Just to add they know he’s at uni and has started his course, the uni has confirmed with them and he’s received his first payment so that’s working fine… albeit it’s the wrong amount

Are you getting confused on what they are asking for?

Are they asking for evidence you are a sole occupier rather than single? (Being 'single' is irrelevant. Being the only person responsible for Council Tax is important regarding student finance).

Is your 19 year old in full-time education?
Full-time Students are 'disregarded' for Council Tax purposes.

If he's not, you are not a sole occupier or single person household. Anyone over 18 years old is 'counted' regardless of relationship.

If he's not, you are not a sole occupier or single person household. Anyone over 18 years old is 'counted' regardless of relationship.

no, that’s not what they are asking fir. An adult son’s income is not taken into account for student finance calculations. A live in partner would be.

it’s an anomaly with the system.

She’s not having issues with the council it’s with her sons student finance which is based on the income of the main parental carer and their spouse or partner. Not his brothers income. They want her to prove that she doesn’t have a husband / the sons father living with her as they’d count his income.

Since when does an adult sibling living at home count toward the Parental Contribution portion of student finance?

If the mortgage is an issue because his dad's name is on it, can his Dad not provide evidence he lives elsewhere like rent/mortgage/council tax. Have you looked what age he.needs to get the independent rate as standard? It used to be about 24 if I recall

What has your son been doing in the last three years? Has he been contributing to the household/supporting himself via benefits or a job? If he can prove he was financially independent he may be eligible for the full amount.

the other thing I wonder is do you have any paperwork with regards to child maintenance you have received in the past to show you were a single parent.