2013/14 Error by SLC after 'exchanging' info with HMRC

mancmum

I am taking this up with SLC direct but want to post about a fundamental error in process by SLC.

Parents provided evidence to SLC to assess income. Loan amount communicated to student. SLC reviewed decision and decided parents had twice the declared income (incorrect). Informed student of cut in loan amount. Student does nothing ...mentions in passing that loan has been changed. Surely parents should be informed that SLC believes information given was not correct. There is an incomplete process here. It was lucky that high independently minded student did actually tell parents otherwise we would not have been aware. SLC needs to actually confirm back to parents or sponsors which income assessment figures has been used for calculations otherwise they have no chance to verify that the decision is correct.

SLC decided our income was double what is was after exchanging information with HMRC for 13/14 tax year. Is anyone aware of other problems like this. I know that this was the year when there was an influx of semitrained staff to try and meet decision deadlines.

tomtontom

It is for the student - the loan applicant - to verify the information is correct, and to query any error. You are not a party to the loan agreement.

Starrystarrynight1

Sounds like you need to be checking that the information HMRC hold is correct.

mancmum

There is a gap in the 'quality circle', the student cannot check that the SLC is working on correct parental income figures because the student does not see them.

Its pure chance that this student even told parents that his loan amounts had been cut.

We would have been none the wiser.

mancmum

Just to update SFE have admitted making a mistake in the process for exchanging data with HMRC. I am posting here so other people know that the if data is exchanged the result is not necessarily correct. I will be making a formal complaint about the error in process.

SFE should be required to notify parents /sponsors of the figure they are using as family income.

SFE should be required to tell parents if a re-assessment of a child is made.