Can my "father" stop me from getting a grant?

LegacyUser

Basically my parents have been separated for almost 3 years now. My "father" is not paying any maintnance even though he agreed to pay 500 a month for me and my sister. It wasnt a court order but an agreement our solicitors reached.

He claimed he was unemployed but he had a lot of work on the side. He cant afford to pay maintnance yet he can afford a week in Italy with his girlfriend. He recently found a legal job but is not paying the maintnance still. He lives in our big family home on his own and refuses to move out and let us move in. Me my mother and my sister have to rent a tiny house in a dangerous estate.( He wants my mother to pay half of the mortgage even though we dont live in the house and hes not paying any maintnance)

Im currently filling out a maintnance grant application form. How am i supposed to prove that my parents are separated and that hes not contributing to the family income at all?

Is that lowlife going to prevent me from getting my 3rd level education?

Reflector

talk to the college you are going to attend and get some advice.
The union of Students in Ireland should be able to advise you as well. Your parents should have a separation agreement and you should include that and just do not list your fathers income on the application just your mums.

shellyboo

Unregistered wrote: »

Im currently filling out a maintnance grant application form. How am i supposed to prove that my parents are separated and that hes not contributing to the family income at all?

Is that lowlife going to prevent me from getting my 3rd level education?

You don't have to prove anything, as far as I'm aware... he's not contributing, so don't disclose his income on the form. Base it on your mother's income alone. The grants system is so overburdened, the likelihood of anyone checking whether you have an estranged father who's supposed to be contributing but isn't is slim to none.

Victor

You may need to sign a formal declaration and get it witnessed.

You need to get proper advice. At least talk to some student's unions and your local citizen information bureau.

The Corinthian

Unregistered wrote: »

My "father" is not paying any maintnance even though he agreed to pay 500 a month for me and my sister. It wasnt a court order but an agreement our solicitors reached.

This is something you need to get your mother to chase up. Ultimately she is entitled to maintenance and if he is not paying any then she can bring him to court for it.

Me my mother and my sister have to rent a tiny house in a dangerous estate.( He wants my mother to pay half of the mortgage even though we dont live in the house and hes not paying any maintnance)

Your mother should be entitled to joint ownership of the family home, as such even if she does not live in the property she would have an obligation to pay towards the mortgage.

However, it is ridiculous that he wants her to pay towards the mortgage and won't pay maintenance - could these be related; that is, he refuses to pay maintenance because he is paying all of the mortgage?

Im currently filling out a maintnance grant application form. How am i supposed to prove that my parents are separated and that hes not contributing to the family income at all?

Phone the relevant grant office and ask them advice based upon what you've said here - they would likely be able to advise you on this. However, at this stage, it comes down to your mother. If she cannot reach an agreement and this is causing issues, then getting some form of court ordered recognition of your situation may be what is required.

LegacyUser

This would probably get more replies in Student Finances

rebel girl 15

Victor wrote: »

You may need to sign a formal declaration and get it witnessed.

You need to get proper advice. At least talk to some student's unions and your local citizen information bureau.

The USI - Union of Students in Ireland is holding information evenings regarding those grants in every county nearly - check your local paper to see when yours is on, some have been on already, but if it still to be on, it will be advertised in the paper

LegacyUser

I think if your parents are seperated you only put in income details of the parent you live with ie your mother.
I can't remember for sure (as it's a long time ago) but I think my mother had to get a signed affidavit stating she was sole guardian and I only had to put her details on my application.
I advise that you contact your Council for clarification though.

bp1989

Yes, if you live with your mother, and your mother only, only put her details on the grant form, not his. You will then need form of proof that you live there, along with copy of parents separation agreement. This is how it works, I just did it last week.

Nelly2

Make sure you/your mother puts in €0 or N/A for maintenance if your father still isn't paying!!

lee_arama

1. You'll be dealing with someone in the grants section, and when you're handing stuff in, just sit down and talk to them about it. They'll help. The amount of incomplete forms they get each year is astounding, not so much because of laziness but more because of hurdles like you've described. I couldn't submit my father's earnings because he was a farmer and the tax returns weren't done yet. Not a bother they said...

2. If for any reason this failure to pay is an obstacle still, just go get a notary to take a sworn statement. The grants office CAN'T ignore that. €10 cost to get the grant? They'll possibly follow up the statement but if all you've said is true then all they can find is a man who has failed to meet his legal obligations.

LegacyUser

Hi OP,

On Another note, your father seems to be getting away with it, can your mother take a court order against him for maintenance, or at least half the house if they seek a divorce she will get half, also if she has 2 children in college she may be entitled to get the house until the college years are over,

Has she consulted a solicitor?