JSA and mortgage interest payments????

markent

Hi,

I was made redundant in November and started claiming JSA at that time. During my first interview I was told that I could also get help with my mortgage interest payments. I have just had all this sorted and in the letter it has said that these mortgage payments will go straight to the lender (fair enough) but that these payments will be taken off my JSA entitlement. Is this right? I was under the assumption that these were extra payments. The problem I have is that my mortgage intereset is more than my JSA and it looks like I will owe the JSA £3 a week! I am having difficulty living on the JSA as it is, so having to pay them £3 a week is a no go!
I only got the letter today and the office is not open on a Saturday to ask them! I will be calling the JS office on Monday but thought I would ask on here first.
I cannot believe that they advertise extra payments for hep in paying mortgage interest but omit the fact that this is taken from your JSA!

TIA for any help

tcr_3

The letters are very misleading.

Mortgage interest payments are extra money ... they add it on with one hand, take it off with another. Your personal benefit shouldn't be affected, so rest easy.

cattie

Yes as tcr mentions, the dwp letters are very misleading. For people eligible for help with mortage interest payments,they work out what they call your applicable amount, which will be jsa + mortgage interest combined. But because the interest is paid direct to the lender & not to the claimant, unfortunately they word the letter to make it sound as if your actual jsa or income support will be reduced to cover the interest payments.

markent

Thanks guys, I was really worried that we were gone be in a really bad way. PHEW:beer: