Does your partner's income count for student loan repayments?

dianna_2

I am helping a friend. To cut a long story short she got married to an American and moved there a year ago. She had no idea she needed to inform the student loans company about this so she is now filling out all the necessary papers so they know her whereabouts.

She is an unemployed housewife, her husband supports her. We need to know if her husband's income is considered for the repayment of her loan?

And what evidence can she possibly send to prove that she is unemployed/supported by her husband? Her husband doesn't want the UK government in his business.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!

boliston

Presumably it would be the same as if someone lived off a partner's salary in the uk - they would never earn enough to repay the loan.

iolanthe07

He will have to sign a form confirming that she has no income and that he supports her. That's what my daughter, a stay-at-home mum, has done for years.

dianna_2

iolanthe07 wrote: »

He will have to sign a form confirming that she has no income and that he supports her. That's what my daughter, a stay-at-home mum, has done for years.

Thank you for confirming that. She saw that part on the form and is filling it out. Did she send them any evidence?

benten69

I was always under the impression that once you leave the UK then regardless of what you earn the Student Loans Company can't touch a penny of it as long as you stay out of the UK long enough to not have to be UK taxes (less than 90 days a year in the country or whatever the law is).

dianna_2

benten69 wrote: »

I was always under the impression that once you leave the UK then regardless of what you earn the Student Loans Company can't touch a penny of it as long as you stay out of the UK long enough to not have to be UK taxes (less than 90 days a year in the country or whatever the law is).

During my research I found that to be a myth. You legally have to notify them and arrange a payment scheduled if you move abroad.

They can't touch a penny when it comes to your actual paycheck but you have to tell them about it so they can say you have to send us X amount. I would imagine that to be costly because of the exchange rates and the high costs of international bank transfers.

andyfromotley

benten69 wrote: »

I was always under the impression that once you leave the UK then regardless of what you earn the Student Loans Company can't touch a penny of it as long as you stay out of the UK long enough to not have to be UK taxes (less than 90 days a year in the country or whatever the law is).

Not true. Although the practicalities of them recovering money from you may be difficult. However at the very least your loan would stand accumulating interest here.

CLAPTON

benten69 wrote: »

I was always under the impression that once you leave the UK then regardless of what you earn the Student Loans Company can't touch a penny of it as long as you stay out of the UK long enough to not have to be UK taxes (less than 90 days a year in the country or whatever the law is).

it's clearly explained on the SLC website

dianna_2

Thank you all for the advice. She has sent off the paperwork. Now she is just waiting on some kind of reply. I wonder if she will have to pay a penalty or fine for not telling them she left?! She sent me a few links that talk about penalties. Does anyone here know?

somethingcorporate

What does the SLC website say? I would give them a call to discuss.