Which parent? Grant Financial Assessment

RootedNomad

Hi. Newbie here, both to the forum and to the world of accessing student finance ....

I was wondering if anyone could tell me how it is determined which parent has to complete the financial assessment where the parents are divorced and we have shared care - residency for the children is fluid between the two homes (we live within 1/2 mile of each other).

I work and my income is in the band where my son receives £10 EMA. His father is in receipt of IB, still employed but sick pay exhausted so no other income. I have 4 other dependant children. From what I have managed to glean from this site so far, I don't think that there will be very much difference in the grant depending on which parent completes the assessment, so it is just a question of making sure we claim correctly and trying to avoid any hold-ups/queries at a later date.

In the run up to his A levels, it is likely that my son will spend more time living with his father (my home is overflowing, noisy and an open house - not conducive to quiet study!). He so far has 4 UCAS offers and it has been suggested that we should crack on and apply for student finance, but both parents find the whole form filling bit quite daunting and want to make sure we get it right for our son.

Are there any rules about who should complete the financial assessment? How long the child has lived in each home? Who claims child benefit? Any other criteria?

Thanks - any advice appreciated.

Lokolo

It is based on household income. So whoevers house he is currently in I would say.

When he applies he puts his address in, so that address really.

Taiko

Father in this instance I'll suggest. If he has a new partner thouh, their income would also be declared.

student_advisor

who claims child benefit & child tax credits? that's the person who has responsibility & should be included on the household income assessment.

RootedNomad

thanks all.

Student-Advisor, I think this is what I would have expected, because where he is living at the actual time of making the application seems less relevant, given that in our family residency is fluid/ever changing.