Can I get any help to pay my mortgage?
You can only get help with the costs of home ownership as part of Income Support.
Amounts can be allowed for mortgage interest and interest for loans to pay for certain repairs and improvements, service charges (although some may be excluded) and ground rent. The amount of mortgage interest allowed is normally paid directly to the lender.
How long will it take before I get help with housing costs?
In most cases there is a waiting period. The amount of time you have to wait depends on your circumstances, when you made your claim and when you agreed to the payment of the costs.
If you agreed to pay your mortgage or other housing costs before 2 October 1995 you will not receive anything until week 9 of your claim, then 50 per cent of the next 18 weeks and then 100 per cent after you have been claiming for 26 weeks.
If you agreed to pay your mortgage or other housing costs after 1 October 1995 you will not receive anything for the first 39 weeks of the claim. After that you will receive 100 per cent of the allowable costs.
If you were claiming Income Support and receiving help with housing costs within the last 52 weeks and stopped claiming because you started work, you will receive help with your mortgage straight away.
If your ex-partner was previously claiming Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance for the family and you make a claim within 12 weeks of separating the previous claim will count towards the waiting period.
You will receive help straight away if you are aged 60 or over.
In what other circumstances would I qualify for the shorter waiting period?
If you are making your claim for Income Support because your partner has died or abandoned you, or you are caring for somebody who has claimed or is getting Attendance Allowance, or the middle or higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance (or were doing so in the last eight weeks), you will only have to wait for the shorter period.
How much will I receive for mortgage interest?
The amount of interest on mortgages or loans may be restricted if they are considered to be too high, or if they have been taken out while you have been on benefit. There is also an upper limit of £100,000 (unless you made your claim before April 1995).
Jobcentre Plus uses standard rates of interest that may differ slightly from those set by your mortgage lender. Your local office will be able to tell you the current rate used.
This arrangement is to encourage lenders not to take action against people with mortgages who are claiming benefit.
The amount of help you can get with your mortgage may also be reduced if you have someone living in your household who is not part of your benefit claim (for example, a grown-up son or daughter). The amount of the deduction depends on their income.
Can somebody else help pay towards my mortgage too?
An ex-partner, other friends or relatives, or an insurance policy can help make up your mortgage or loan payments without it affecting your Income Support amount or the amount paid for mortgage interest if these payments are for the capital or for mortgage endowment premiums and not the amount for mortgage interest included in your Income Support. Payments must be paid directly to the lender or insurer.
Further information
Further information on Income Support is available at www.dwp.gov.uk
The National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux provide further information at www.adviceguide.org.uk