Losing Job - Help with mortgage?

coo699

Hello,

I wonder if anyone can help as I cant seem to get a firm answer from anyone on this! I am newly self employed, my business is not yet making money but should be in profit by the end part of this year. My partner has a mortgage on his house (interest only mortgage) and myself and my 1 year old son live with him. We are currently not eligible for many tax credits as his salary is too high - however its looking v likely that he will be loosing his job at the end of this month, I have no way really of helping much with the mortgage - we have heard that job seekers allowance entitles you to get mortgage interest relief...he would be on contribution based as has always worked and paid NI - does this still entitle us to help? Would me living with him and effectivley being self employed (though with no or v little income) mean that he would not be able to claim for such help? I have looked on Direct Gov but they are hazy about mortgage help etc and I dont know if I can trust the benefits the calculator says we might be entitled too, any help would be so much appreciated.

Thanks

dmg24

How many hours do you work? Do you have household savings of over £16,000 (or £6,000)?

tcr_3

If you're working 24 hours per week or more ... even if your self employment brings in little money ... he can't claim for income based Jobseeker's Allowance. And it's only with income based benefit that help can be provided for mortgage interest.

dmg24

tcr wrote: »

If you're working 24 hours per week or more ... even if your self employment brings in little money ... he can't claim for income based Jobseeker's Allowance. And it's only with income based benefit that help can be provided for mortgage interest.

Those on CB JSA with an underlying entitlement to IB JSA may claim also.

tcr_3

dmg24 wrote: »

Those on CB JSA with an underlying entitlement to IB JSA may claim also.

There's no such thing as underlying entitlement to JSA(IB).

dmg24

tcr wrote: »

There's no such thing as underlying entitlement to JSA(IB).

Well as many people have qualified for SMI under this entitlement, the DWP would disagree with you.

tcr_3

dmg24 wrote: »

Well as many people have qualified for SMI under this entitlement, the DWP would disagree with you.

"Underlying entitlement to JSA(IB)" is not a term used by mortgage officers or benefit processing officers, nor have I ever seen it used in internal DWP guidance.

Perhaps you could hook me up to a DWP link where that term is used, or describe what you mean by that term, perhaps illustrate it with an example so I can establish what you mean ?

dmg24

tcr wrote: »

"Underlying entitlement to JSA(IB)" is not a term used by mortgage officers or benefit processing officers, nor have I ever seen it used in internal DWP guidance.

Perhaps you could hook me up to a DWP link where that term is used, or describe what you mean by that term, perhaps illustrate it with an example so I can establish what you mean ?

Here is some openly available information. It only came in last January (2009), perhaps your information is outdated?

http://www.official-documents.gov.uk/document/other/9780108508769/9780108508769.pdf

happymumto2

dmg24 wrote: »

Well as many people have qualified for SMI under this entitlement, the DWP would disagree with you.

Not sure if it is the same with JSA, but on ESA I had an underlying entitlement on contribution based, however the SMI was not paid until I switched to income related.
My award notice stated I was entitled to X amount, but was not payable until I became eligable for IR benefits.

dmg24

happymumto2 wrote: »

Not sure if it is the same with JSA, but on ESA I had an underlying entitlement on contribution based, however the SMI was not paid until I switched to income related.
My award notice stated I was entitled to X amount, but was not payable until I became eligable for IR benefits.

Could I ask when you were awarded ESA?

happymumto2

dmg24 wrote: »

Could I ask when you were awarded ESA?

Beginning of October 2009 dmg , was treated under new rules for time, but old rules for support awarded. Had letter to say I could have £116 a week, but it wouldn't be paid as I was on ESA (C). Switched to ESA (IR) 16/02/2010, then the SMI kicked in, went for reconsideration as it was only being paid on £100k, reconsideration went in my favour and are now paying full amount.