Adult dependancy grant

[lawstudent21]

I have 2 children and a partner who is doing voluntary work, i am starting university in september. I have applied for all the relevant grants and loans but when i filled in the form for the adults dependancy grant i noticed that it was for over 25's (I am only 23) so i rang student finance and they told me that I would still be eligable for it I would just need to be assessed as an independant student. Now i have been told that i am not allowed the grant as i am not married to my partner. Does anyone know if this is right what they are saying? Or has anyone heard of this before? I have looked on the student finance website and direct gov and can't find where this is said.
Thanx

[hc4361]

Could your partner do paid work and support you and your children whilst you do your degree?
Voluntary work is for spare time or those who don't need to earn a living because they are self financing.
I don't see why I should support him to do voluntary work - the idea is bizarre.

[buildersmate]

I don't know the full answer in your case but I know where to look! Here: -
http://www.direct.gov...alasset/dg_174587.pdf
This weblink downloads the 28 page document 'Higher Education Student Finance - How You Are Assessed And Paid'. This is the reference book that will enable you to work out whether they got it right according to the 'rules' - or not.
You will presumably have worked your way through the difference in assessment between a Dependent Student and an Independent one? You are definitely an Independent - not least because you have young children. Dependent students have to have their financial assessment made in conjunction with their parents income - so this doesn't apply to you, even though you are under 25.
The book is complicated I'm afraid. You need to check that the COURSE is eligible for assistance (I assume you've already established that it is).
You should be entitle to a Maintenance Loan - which is paid back, of course, later.
But the issue for you, I imagine, is whether you are entitled to a Maintenance Grant, or if not, a Special Support Grant.
I can't comment on that without knowing more about your circumstances. I suggest that you work your way through the booklet.
This booklet does come via the DirectGov site but I agree it is devilishly difficult to find it.