Adult Depenents Grant

Phil_rocks

Hi guys,

I have been studying for over 2 years now, and last year when i applied for student finance, they gave me ADG ontop of the maintenance grant.
I thought nothing of it, as i didn't apply for it, they said i could be eligible. So knowing grants you don't have to repay, i said yes (plus we needed the money).
Anyway, they have re-assessed the situation, and want a repayment of £2600, ive tried phoning, and will phone again, but they keep pointing me to someone else (namely the student loans company and student finance england).
I dont understand how we are not eligible for the ADG, as i'm a full time student, and my wife is self employed, but makes barely any money herself, due to the cost of running the business.
Nothing seems to give me a breakdown on why we are not eligible for it.
Ive managed to postpone the student loan company for 28 days while i try to sort this out.

Any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated.

ILW

Get a job and then restart the study when you can afford yo support yourself.

27col

It seems a pretty pointless exercise for your wife to be running a business and not making any money out of it.

Caz3121

Full-time students in higher education with an adult who depends on them financially can apply for an Adult Dependants’ Grant of up to £2,642.

I am assuming that your wife runs a business and possibly receives working tax credits so she does not rely on you supporting her

Phil_rocks

My wife has a business, the business makes enough to keep itself going, and if there's enough work, my wife is able to pay herself, roughly £6000 ish a year she earns. We have only just found out that she can claim working tax credits, so no she doesn't receive them yet.
She is financially dependent on me, at least from a persons point of view she is.

Caz3121

£6,000 per year is more than a couple would get on JSA though

If she was earning zero then you would be entitled to the £2,642 to support her, as she earns more than twice this the ADG would not apply

Janie4Now

Phil_rocks wrote: »

She is financially dependent on me, at least from a persons point of view she is.

No, she is not financially dependent on you. You, as a student, are financially dependent on her. She is clearly able to work - and does so - so why should the tax payer have to support both of you so that you can study?

Phil_rocks

Thanks Caz3121
I couldn't find anything about requirements to apply for it, as it just said you could be eligible for it. So when they turn around and say you need to pay it back without any explanation why, i was a bit annoyed.
Thought since the bills are more than she earns, would be based on net income after compulsory outgoings, and she's also under the minimum wage bracket. Did not realise that JSA yearly income was so low.
Any advice on paying it back? as £2600 isnt something i keep laying around, and im still a student for 2 more years, so its unlikely i will be able to afford it for a while. (Im also on placement this year, doing about 50-60 hours a week, so getting a job on-top of that isnt really an option.)
Phil

Phil_rocks

Just to update this thread for anyone else who may wonder.
It seems the reason why they decided i am not eligible for he ADG anymore, is because after he year is up, hey require proof of finances, such as bank statements, showing your rent payments and so fourth. This is information from the student finance England, the student loans company don't deal with information, only retrieving the loans/grants.
I have appealed, and will try to send all required information to them so they can re-calculate to see if i am eligible for any of it or not.
Cheers for all the help guys.
Phil