What figure to use as income (parent)

David_Mee

Getting tied in knots as to what figures to put for my income as a Parent. I got divorced in 2008, remarried 2009. My new wife has 2 children still living with us and both are at Uni. 1 Started last year but swapped courses so still in Year 1 this year. Other started this year as well. I have 2 children from previous marriage that I pay £5400 a year in maintenance.

Student Finance keep telling me that (i) they don't care that I have to pay maintenance and want my earnings *before* thats paid. (ii) maintenance say the 2 at Uni aren't my dependants so I still have to pay the original maintenance.

Because of my earnings the 2 at uni get less money - I am expected to come up with the deficit, however I am also expected to pay maintenance.....

Is this correct??

MusicalLawyer

Might be a good idea to go on to the Student Finance website and download the guidelines for supporting a student. It will tell you in there exactly what you need to put down as your income.

devildog

I guess in a way you have answered your own question-they want to know what your INCOME is only(outgoings will have no effect unless it is paid into a pension scheme)

My guess is re maintenance that you are obliged to support 'your' children from previous marriage whereas the two at Uni are considered as 1)Adults and/or 2) supported by natural father(?)

Similar questions come up frequently due to parents having large outgoings, huge mortgage, debts etc but is still doesn't make any difference. All they want to know is your income

Taiko

Indeed, income is all that matters, not what you choose to squander it on.

David_Mee

Cheers Taiko, I am sure all the kids involved appreciate being lumped as me "squandering".

Cheers to everyone else for helping.

Natural Father is no longer alive otherwise this would be less of a problem.

silvercar

You are caught.

I have a friend in a similar situation who has delayed marriage and living with her new partner because the new partner moving in would reduce her children's entitlement to student funding. The new partner has his own children to support and would not be in a financial situation to support her children.

The balance is between the reduced living costs of her and her new man living as a couple (rent/ council tax/ utilities/ food /car etc) and making up the extra support her children would lose by him moving in.