Help - what's a low income family?

marylou_3

There seems to be tons of help for lone parent students but little for students with babies and partners.

Whenever I look to see if I can get childcare paid for it says I can if the family is "low income".

What is that? Have looked and looked, and have seen parent income calculators but not partners. Can't afford to go back to uni if childcare not paid for.

mum2one

marylou wrote: »

There seems to be tons of help for lone parent students but little for students with babies and partners.

Whenever I look to see if I can get childcare paid for it says I can if the family is "low income".

What is that? Have looked and looked, and have seen parent income calculators but not partners. Can't afford to go back to uni if childcare not paid for.

Theres a link think its on the main site, you can get your entitlements check,
but I think thats benefits check up

going on tax credits and put in all income, and it will calculate it for you.

I personally would go via the tax credits, the info you need is yearly wage of your partner + rough idea of his hrs, (16-30hrs, 30+), your grant or wages if you have a job, also if you know roughly how much your childcare costs will be, give you a rough ides.

Hope that helps x

marylou_3

Thanks, mum2one, but I've been through entitledto.com if that's the one you mean. They won't give childcare costs if I don't work a certain number of hours, which I won't if I'm on a full time degree course with a baby. The other grant calculator says it can't be done based on the information I've given them.

I've been through literally dozens of advice sites (most unis seem to have their own) and they all say if the partner is on "low income" without saying what that would be.

mum2one

marylou wrote: »

Thanks, mum2one, but I've been through entitledto.com if that's the one you mean. They won't give childcare costs if I don't work a certain number of hours, which I won't if I'm on a full time degree course with a baby. The other grant calculator says it can't be done based on the information I've given them.

I've been through literally dozens of advice sites (most unis seem to have their own) and they all say if the partner is on "low income" without saying what that would be.

Does sound like youve been through the mill, then to be honest the best one I can suggest is tax credits site.

Im attempting ( the objective work), a degree through open uni, just on a financial course and spent 2hrs going through tax credits, with all different sencerios.

Good luck with the degree.
cheryl

kr15snw

Im pretty sure that the entitlement is the same if the household earnings is your parents or yourself and your partner.

One of my friends moved in with her boyfriend last year and has declared this with her student finance this year. Unfortunately her boyfriend earns more than her mum did and now puts her over the threashold so she doesnt get as big a grant this year

But she was told by the student finance people it works the exact same way, except they go on her and her boyfriends pay. Not her mums as they did last year.

Hope that makes sense!

marylou_3

It does seem to be the case that partner takes over from mum and dad, but I'm looking specifically for income levels regarding childcare costs; can't afford to go back if they're not covered. Annoying thing is that if I was a lone parent I'd have more income than the two of us do now!

jovichick123

Hiya,

Found this:

Calculator for supplementary grants for student parents

You can use this calculator to help you estimate how much extra support you may be able to receive for your
dependants. Follow the calculation until you get a final figure.

Step 1: add together all the grants you may be eligible for.

Grant Amount Your figures

Adult Dependants’ Grant £2,510
Parents’ Learning Allowance £1,435
Childcare Grant (85% of the actual childcare costs x number of weeks). £7,735
For example, the maximum for one child is 85% of £175 x 52 weeks
= £7,735
(The maximum for two or more children is 85% of £300 a week.)

Total A £11,680 £
Step 2: add up any income your dependants may have (this includes the income of your husband,
wife or partner and any income your children may have, including any maintenance which is paid for
them). Some regular payments that you have been making since before the start of your course, or
which your partner is now making for you (for example, mortgage payments) can be deducted from
your partner’s net income. Ask your local authority (or the SLC) for advice.

Dependant’s name Income

Total B £
Step 3: Choose the circumstance that applies to you (choose only one).

Circumstance Amount Your figure

Two parents, one child £3,300
Two parents, two or more children £4,400
Lone parent, one child £4,400
Lone parent, two or more children £5,505

Total C £

If total C is greater than total B, you should receive the maximum grant or grants you are entitled to. If it is
less than total B, go to step 4.

Step 4: Take total C off total B to estimate your contribution.

Amount

Your dependants’ income (total £
Less the limit (total C) £

Total D = £
Step 5: Amount of grant or grants you are eligible for

Income

Maximum grant or grants you are entitled to (total A) £
Less your contribution (total D) £

Total extra funding you may receive Total E = £
If the total E amount in step 5 is between £1 and £49, then you should receive a grant of £50.

Please note that if there is any income to be taken into account as a result of the income test that applies
to the general support provided either as part of the new or old package of support (for example, a grant for
tuition fees or the student maintenance loan), we will reduce the extra funding that you receive by £1 for

every £9.50 of income.

Sorry if thats a little confusing lol most of these websites don't give you the answers you are looking for - am sure they do it on purpose!! :rolleyes:

I have it in my head that if your partner earns over the £14,000 mark, thats when it starts to affect your grants - maybe call your LEA, am sure they'd be able to clarify for you.

HTH
Sarah xx

marylou_3

Thanks Sarah, I've been through that too ... here's the problem ....."Some regular payments that you have been making since before the start of your course, or which your partner is now making for you (for example, mortgage payments) can be deducted from your partner’s net income. Ask your local authority (or the SLC) for advice."

On paper his income is too much, after tax, insurance and rent it is MUCH lower. I really, really, want to know if our rent is disregarded. I'd rather have some idea before I speak to the LEA. They haven't always given correct advice in the past.

redmel1621

Hi

Phone the university you are looking at attending and ask to speak to the student advisors. They are usually very helpful...

Mel x

bestpud

Hiya

I am on the old funding system and our rent is deducted from our income. They also disregard £1000 for each dependent child.

You can also include insurance payments (household), pension contributions and any medical insurance (such as if you pay a private dental plan).

Hth

Bestpud

mummytofour

I hope you get this sorted its so very complicated, so much so that when I go to uni next year we hope that DH will stay at home with the babies or work part-time ( over 16 hrs).
Are you going to uni this year?