Parental Responsibility

Kenk

Our eldest daughter left home aged 17 and has not lived with us for many years. Way back when she was around 22 she applied to go to University and I presume got a Student Loan. I was never asked to fill in any paperwork and never signed anything which I presumed was correct because she was an adult and single parent. She is now 36 and has never really worked, holding down a fairly menial job cleaning in a restaurant. Just before Christmas I received personally addressed to me a letter from her Student Loan Company asking me for her wearabouts. I rang them and asked them to confirm her date of birth,having first googled the address to see if it was legit. They wouldn't tell me without her permission, which considering they couldn't find her was all very surreal. In the end I gave them her new address and then I contacted my daughter who actually was very angry that I had told them where she is now living. She "says" that she then contacted them and that apparently they owe her money. All in all I am quite worried that I may have by some way ended up being liable for this loan. I certainly never signed anything, not was any contact made by anyone at the Uni when she applied. We are now heading for retirement and I'am afraid that we may suddenly be pursued for this debt. They kept asking me about how much she earns and I told my daughter that all she has to do is to let them have sight of her P60 but this talk of the Loan Company owing my daughter is worring as my daughter has mental health issues so not everything that she tells people is the truth.

liviboy

Kenk wrote: »

Our eldest daughter left home aged 17 and has not lived with us for many years. Way back when she was around 22 she applied to go to University and I presume got a Student Loan. I was never asked to fill in any paperwork and never signed anything which I presumed was correct because she was an adult and single parent. She is now 36 and has never really worked, holding down a fairly menial job cleaning in a restaurant. Just before Christmas I received personally addressed to me a letter from her Student Loan Company asking me for her wearabouts. I rang them and asked them to confirm her date of birth,having first googled the address to see if it was legit. They wouldn't tell me without her permission, which considering they couldn't find her was all very surreal. In the end I gave them her new address and then I contacted my daughter who actually was very angry that I had told them where she is now living. She "says" that she then contacted them and that apparently they owe her money. All in all I am quite worried that I may have by some way ended up being liable for this loan. I certainly never signed anything, not was any contact made by anyone at the Uni when she applied. We are now heading for retirement and I'am afraid that we may suddenly be pursued for this debt. They kept asking me about how much she earns and I told my daughter that all she has to do is to let them have sight of her P60 but this talk of the Loan Company owing my daughter is worring as my daughter has mental health issues so not everything that she tells people is the truth.

It’s very possible for the SLC to owe money to your daughter.

If she paid off her loan in full via her salary, then she will likely have overpaid as accounts are only reconciled once per year.
That’s why the SLC usually write in the last 2 years of repayment asking if the borrower wishes to switch to direct debit repayment.

Either way, you’re not liable for the loan:-)

Kenk

She has never repaid any of her loan and inspite of getting a 2.1 in Forensic Chemistry has always maintained that she never wants to work and indeed her current job is just enough for her to keep claiming benefits, so I know she has never paid off any of the Student Loan debt.

AnotherJoe

Stop corresponding with the SLC it’s nothing to do with you and neither is the loan.
Don’t reply to any letters from them and don’t give them any more information.

DCFC79

Your not liable.

Maybe you shouldn't have informed slc of her new address but its done now.

ViolaLass

Why are you worried you'll be liable? As you said, you haven't signed anything.

redpete

You re not and won't become liable for her loan. I would have given them her current address and left it at that.

Iheart

When you take out a student loan, they ask for the details of 2 people they can contact if they cannot find you. I put my parents on mine, so it sounds likely that your daughter did the same.

It doesn't make you liable for anything.

[Deleted User]

Kenk wrote: »

In the end I gave them her new address and then I contacted my daughter who actually was very angry that I had told them where she is now living.

I do exactly the same with a previous occupier who run up extensive debts before leaving the address I currently live in.

I do not feel any guilt and certainly won't assist anone who'll dodge their debts when it impacts on me - for she has the same option I once had to deal with her debts - is the way I see it so why on earth would I assist anyone thinking they can get away without paying.

Mojisola

Kenk wrote: »

She has never repaid any of her loan and inspite of getting a 2.1 in Forensic Chemistry has always maintained that she never wants to work and indeed her current job is just enough for her to keep claiming benefits, so I know she has never paid off any of the Student Loan debt.

If she doesn't earn enough, she doesn't have to pay anything back.

[Deleted User]

IIRC students under 25 who are estranged from their parent(s) are treated as independent and e.g parental income is not counted when applying for student loans and in this case grants, as above she will only ever make a repayment when she is earning above 21k a year and you will never be responsible for her student debt. I'm baffled as to why they might owe her money as she appears never to have earn enough to make a payment.