ILR Application Query - Meeting Financial Requirement

Hi Everyone,

Hope everyone had a lovely Christmas and New Year!

Wishing everyone the best this 2023!

I'm planning to submit my ILR application mid February 2023 and as well scheduled my Life in the UK test on the 20th Jan.

I thought it's going to be a straight forward application this time as I did for FLR (M) years back, but due to some changes in my current situation, I would like to ask for everyone's knowledge and expertise regarding the following:

1. As the applicant, can I just use my earning in meeting the financial requirement? or it has to be both me (applicant) and my partner (british citizen) combined?

My partner recently sufferred from a Stroke in September 2022 and been out of work since then. He is still employed with his current employer and receiving Statutory sick pay since October 2022. He has PIP allowance too which will start this month Jan 2023.

2. If it will be a combined earning in meeting the financial requirement, is there anyone who has any information on how to go through this area of the application?

Thank you all in advance for any information related to my query.

@ksand24
@larrabee


Kind Regards,

PeeJay

1. As the applicant, can I just use my earning in meeting the financial requirement? or it has to be both me (applicant) and my partner (british citizen) combined?

It can be either your income or your partner's income... or if neither of you can meet the requirement using only your income (i.e. both of you earn less than £18,600 individually), you can combine both incomes to meet it.

If you both earn more than £18,600 individually, you can choose which one of you uses their income - i.e. which one of you has the simplest income to prove and the easiest documents to acquire. You should ONLY include that person's income on the form and only include their financial documents. When filling out the form, you just fill it out as if the other person has no income (leaving their employment information blank).

The only time you can't use your employment income is for the initial visa applied for from abroad, because when you apply for that visa, you don't yet have the right to work in the UK, so your income cannot be counted. Once you are in the UK on a spousal visa, your income can be used for all future applications.

My partner recently sufferred from a Stroke in September 2022 and been out of work since then. He is still employed with his current employer and receiving Statutory sick pay since October 2022. He has PIP allowance too which will start this month Jan 2023.

Sorry to hear that - I wish him all the best in his recovery.

If he has already started receiving PIP at the time of the application, that actually means you will be exempt from meeting the £18,600 financial requirement, and can apply using Adequate Maintenance instead (where you show that total weekly income - (rent + council tax) = at least a minimum amount, as determined by the government income support allowances.

However, if your income alone is more than £18,600, then it may just be easier to apply as normal under Category A.

2. If it will be a combined earning in meeting the financial requirement, is there anyone who has any information on how to go through this area of the application?

If do you need to combine incomes in order to meet the requirements, you just include both incomes on the application form and include 2 sets of payslips/bank statements/employer letter, one set for each of you.

It can be either your income or your partner's income... or if neither of you can meet the requirement using only your income (i.e. both of you earn less than £18,600 individually), you can combine both incomes to meet it.

Thank you so much @ksand24 for your quick reply on my query, really appreciate it.

I initially intended to use my own income for my FLR (M) application previously but due to Covid i have to add ours together to meet the requirement. Using my income alone is one way to show the case officer that I can use my income/earning to prove that I can subsidize myself, not relying to anyone nor public funds.

So, in that case, I'll use my income instead. I've calculated my income (non-salaried) for 6 months and it's more than threshold of £18,600, it is about £22,000. It is easier to acquire all the necessary paperworks as my workplace is really supportive and very much willing to help in anyway possible. like you said the simplest income to prove.

You should ONLY include that person's income on the form and only include their financial documents. When filling out the form, you just fill it out as if the other person has no income (leaving their employment information blank).

I haven't started filling the form yet, but if I'll leave my partner's employment blank, will it allow me to go to the next page? sorry just curious as I can't clearly remember how I did it the last time.

Sorry to hear that - I wish him all the best in his recovery.

Thank you very much, he is recovering well. We were on holiday abroad celebrating our 7th year wedding anniversary dinner when it happened. That's why I put the application and Life in the UK test aside until he feels way better.

If he has already started receiving PIP at the time of the application, that actually means you will be exempt from meeting the £18,600 financial requirement, and can apply using Adequate Maintenance instead (where you show that total weekly income - (rent + council tax) = at least a minimum amount, as determined by the government income support allowances.

Shall I or Do I need to mention any of this information on the application, I mean the PIP and his Statutory Sick Pay? How about writing a brief detail on his case (stroke) and our experience... will that help somehow?

However, if your income alone is more than £18,600, then it may just be easier to apply as normal under Category A.

I'll definitely use my income alone under Cat A.

Thank you so much.

Really appreciate all the help I've received from you since Day1. you helped a lot of people worry less... I just calmed my partner down, crying and being sorry of his situation, worrying about my upcoming application. After hearing your reply he calmed down... Thank you really!!!!

Kind Reagrds,

PeeJay

Using my income aloneis one way to show the case officer that I can use my income/earning to prove that I can subsidize myself, not relying to anyone nor public funds.

They won’t care about that. All they need to do is tick a box to say that one or both of you meet the £18,600 requirement and you have provided all the evidence. That’s all.

I haven't started filling the form yet, but if I'll leave my partner's employment blank, will it allow me to go to the next page? sorry just curious as I can't clearly remember how I did it the last time.

Of course it will . The majority of people applying only use one person’s income, even if both partners are employed. When it asks if your partner is employed, you simply tick ‘No’ and move on to the next section of the application.

Shall I or Do I need to mention any of this information on the application, I mean the PIP and his Statutory Sick Pay? How about writing a brief detail on his case (stroke) and our experience... will that help somehow?

No, if you are using your income to meet the £18,600 requirement under Category A, there’s no need to mention his stroke or his PIP at all, since they won’t be relevant to the application. His Sick Pay should not be mentioned either, since you are not using his income anyway, so it will also be irrelevant.


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Hi dear @ksand24,

Apologies for the late reply, was at work doing evening shift as I care for him during the day time.

All information you shared is really helpful, will do the process as you mentioned. should I have some questions later as I fill the application, I'll defo ask you soon.

Really appreciate your time, effort and knowledge regarding the process. You're an angel sent from above.

Can't thank you enough, God bless you.

Take care always and stay safe.


Kind Regards,

PeeJay

yes well said PeeJay.   Ksand, Larrabee and KFDancer are total legends and so massively helpful - we will always be perpetually thankful!

Some others of us try and help a bit and fill in some gaps, and despite best efforts they just know the process better.

Nice weekend everyone

Matt

yes well said PeeJay.   Ksand, Larrabee and KFDancer are total legends and so massively helpful - we will always be perpetually thankful!

Some others of us try and help a bit and fill in some gaps, and despite best efforts they just know the process better.

Nice weekend everyone

Matt

100% agree with you @mbmoffat. They're really an angel sent from above. Everyone's experience shared on this platform are also important as they may have experienced it personally which other can learn and pick details from it.

Peejay

Group hug! 

Group hug! 

Big thank you @larrabee.

Just started filling the SET M application form for ILR with a copy of my FLR M application previously for reference.

There's a new section for the SET M online form called "Your Social, Cultural or Family Ties"

There are 3 questions, if you answer YES or NO, they still need to be justified. What should I answer as per your experience?

1. Do you have any family in your country of birth, nationality or any other country where you have lived for more than 5 years?
Yes, I have my 3 siblings back home and my Uncle closest to me.

2. Do you have any friends in your country of birth, nationality or any other country where you have lived for more than 5 years?
Yes, Have few friends whom I usually meet everytime I go back home for holiday.

3. Are you part of any social groups or do you have other cultural ties in your country of birth, nationality or any other country where you have lived for more than 5 years? (Required)
No, been away from my home country since 2006 to work abroad.

I've searched some posts about this on the forum, but it wasn't a popular questions I guess.

Thank You

Peejay

Big thank you @larrabee.

Just started filling the SET M application form for ILR with a copy of my FLR M application previously for reference.

There's a new section for the SET M online form called "Your Social, Cultural or Family Ties"

There are 3 questions, if you answer YES or NO, they still need to be justified. What should I answer as per your experience?

1. Do you have any family in your country of birth, nationality or any other country where you have lived for more than 5 years?
Yes, I have my 3 siblings back home and my Uncle closest to me.

2. Do you have any friends in your country of birth, nationality or any other country where you have lived for more than 5 years?
Yes, Have few friends whom I usually meet everytime I go back home for holiday.

3. Are you part of any social groups or do you have other cultural ties in your country of birth, nationality or any other country where you have lived for more than 5 years? (Required)
No, been away from my home country since 2006 to work abroad.

I've searched some posts about this on the forum, but it wasn't a popular questions I guess.

Thank You

Peejay

That all sounds fine. I don't think you need to give the full address of your family and friends, just City, State will do.

That all sounds fine. I don't think you need to give the full address of your family and friends, just City, State will do.

Great! Thanks @larrabee will do that

Dear @larrabee, @ksand24, @mbmoffat

Current circumstance:

My partner just recently suffered from stroke in September of 2022, he is currently recovering and doing well. In meeting the income threshold for the application we usually combine our income. This time I'm going to use only mine.

His PIP application just got approved and received his first payment this month.

I have few questions to clarify on my upcoming application and also in filling the SET M online. I know @ksand24 answered this previously on this convo but I'm quite confused on what to do and I guess i just want to get reassured that I'm doing the right thing...sorry for the trouble.

SET M application is way too straight forward, simple I must say, pretty similar to FLR M but there's loads of ommitted details from FLR M specially on the Finance part.

Questions:

1. I arrived in the UK December of 2017, reached my 5th year living in the UK December 2022. My current BRP expires in May 11, 2023 and planning to submit my application mid of February 2023. Is my application still valid or its too late?

2.  On the Spouse/Partner Details:
Do you or your partner have any physical or mental conditions which require at home personal care or medical assistance? answered NO - even if he just suffered from Stroke. We don't really require home personal care nor medical assistance as I'm doing everything for him (he actually needed less care now unlike before)

3. Finance:
****** My partner's Nat'l Insurance Number is on the application. Do you reckon they're going to check it?

Do you or your partner currently receive any of these benefits? NO (even if my partner does and his first payment was just received this month.)

Do you or your partner receive any public funds? NO (he has his first PIP payment)

How often do you get paid? Monthly
What is your net pay? Is this refers to the monthly pay or the annual gross? sorry as it sounds silly to ask but better to be sure.

Hope you can help me out, any info is highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.


Regards,

Peejay

Dear @larrabee, @ksand24, @mbmoffat

Current circumstance:

My partner just recently suffered from stroke in September of 2022, he is currently recovering and doing well. In meeting the income threshold for the application we usually combine our income. This time I'm going to use only mine.

His PIP application just got approved and received his first payment this month.

I have few questions to clarify on my upcoming application and also in filling the SET M online. I know @ksand24 answered this previously on this convo but I'm quite confused on what to do and I guess i just want to get reassured that I'm doing the right thing...sorry for the trouble.

SET M application is way too straight forward, simple I must say, pretty similar to FLR M but there's loads of ommitted details from FLR M specially on the Finance part.

Questions:

1. I arrived in the UK December of 2017, reached my 5th year living in the UK December 2022. My current BRP expires in May 11, 2023 and planning to submit my application mid of February 2023. Is my application still valid or its too late?

2.  On the Spouse/Partner Details:
Do you or your partner have any physical or mental conditions which require at home personal care or medical assistance? answered NO - even if he just suffered from Stroke. We don't really require home personal care nor medical assistance as I'm doing everything for him (he actually needed less care now unlike before)

3. Finance:
****** My partner's Nat'l Insurance Number is on the application. Do you reckon they're going to check it?

Do you or your partner currently receive any of these benefits? NO (even if my partner does and his first payment was just received this month.)

Do you or your partner receive any public funds? NO (he has his first PIP payment)

How often do you get paid? Monthly
What is your net pay? Is this refers to the monthly pay or the annual gross? sorry as it sounds silly to ask but better to be sure.

Hope you can help me out, any info is highly appreciated.

Thank you in advance.


Regards,

Peejay

1- As long as you apply before the BRP expires, you are not too late.

2- It should be YES for that one. It's not a problem, you can just explain that he's had a stroke and that you help with all of his personal care. 

3- It's fine to answer NO for those if you're using your income instead of going the adequate maintenance route, you can always explain if you want to that he has just started to receive PIP but that you preferred to use your income. Is that why you ask if they will check his NI number?

1- As long as you apply before the BRP expires, you are not too late.

One down, thank you dear.

2- It should be YES for that one. It's not a problem, you can just explain that he's had a stroke and that you help with all of his personal care.

I can do that, if I'll answer YES can I possibly request a medical letter as I have to prove that he's had stroke. My only issue is he was seen by different doctors from our local GP for the past 3 months.

3- It's fine to answer NO for those if you're using your income instead of going the adequate maintenance route, you can always explain if you want to that he has just started to receive PIP but that you preferred to use your income. Is that why you ask if they will check his NI number?

Yes indeed, will they be checking his NI account during the process? My worry is if I'll answer YES on the 2nd question and NO to the rest it looks like the details/ answers I'm providing aren't cohesive.

My original plan was to answer NO to everything but my concern is they might check my partners NI and find out of his PIP thay may lead to my ILR refusal.

Sorry for this, I guess I'm just overthinking and I'm loosing focus as to what do I need to do.

Please enlighten me... need it very badly, don't know what to do.

Thank you.


Regards,

Peejay

I can do that, if I'll answer YES can I possibly request a medical letter as I have to prove that he's had stroke. My only issue is he was seen by different doctors from our local GP for the past 3 months.

There is no need to prove he's had a stroke, you don't need a medical letter. You just need to mention that you help with his care.  Please don't worry about this.

.Yes indeed, will they be checking his NI account during the process? My worry is if I'll answer YES on the 2nd question and NO to the rest it looks like the details/ answers I'm providing aren't cohesive.

My original plan was to answer NO to everything but my concern is they might check my partners NI and find out of his PIP thay may lead to my ILR refusal.

When it comes to the financial requirement, the forms are not sophisticated at all. Sometimes you need to answer NO even when the answer is YES so that the form understands which method you are using to prove you meet the requirement.

As you know, you can meet it in more than one way but you only need to choose one. The way to cover yourself in this situation, is to write in the 'any other information' section, or even in a separate letter if it makes you feel more comfortable, explaining that he does receive PIP as a recent applicant but you have chosen instead to apply using your income.

My motto when going through the process was always to explain anything which needed an explanation!