Does mortgage overpayment count as savings for benefit purposes?

ohyespleasethankyou

Currently overpay £300 a month and have about 30k 'overpayed' on our mortgage. Just a standard Discount tracker (yay!) but we overpay when we renew. On the statement it doesn't specify that we have overpayed so when I lose my job in a couple of weeks (Possibly) do I have to declare it???
We only have about 3k in the bank - all our ISAS were sold in Dec and put into the mortgage so in effect we have 'no' savings. Not trying to fiddle, just being prepared for the uncharted new world of benefits.

madison's_mum

Hi, not sure on the answer re the over payment but the savings limit for benefits is usually £16k however our local council only requests bank statements as far as know as proof of savings. You wouldnt be eligible fo rhousing benefit as you have a mortgage but you could possibly claim mortgage payment interest only for around 6 months i think. If you have been working and making NIC's you would be able to claim contribution based JSA for 6 months as that is the only criteria for claiming it and you can get that even if your partner has a full time job. This link may be useful http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/index.htm