Does Income Support Claim Include Housing Costs?

iac_2

I currently receive Incapacity Benefit (Long Term) and I am now a lone parent with 3 children. I am also the sole owner of my home (the mortage is in my name only).

I recently applied (April 15) for Income Support but this has been refused, because (to quote my recent letter) taking my Lone Parent Allowance of £65.45 + Disability Premium of £28.00 the law states I need £93.45 per week to live on. My Incapacity Benefit is £106.40 per week so therefore I receive more than I need to live on by the sum of £12.95.

I have a couple of questions that I hope someone can help me with.

1. When claiming Income Support, as a lone parent, am I entitled to the £20 disregard on earnings i.e. does Incapacity Benefit count towards earnings?

2. Also I understood that - as I am a home owner - housing costs (mortgage interest only at 6.08%) are also taken into account when calculating how much I needed to live on. And therefore my claim for Income Support should include this when calculating my allowances. Is this correct? i.e. am I entitled to claim for Income Support for Mortgage Interest (ISMI) or can you only claim for ISMI if you are currently receiving Income Support? I realise there is a 13 week qualification period (July 15).

I ask these questions because so far despite phoning my local jobcentre plus office on several occasions no-one has been able to answer these questions.

Alternatively does anyone know who else may be able to help with these answers? CAB?

Thanks

iac

Robbie64

IS can include mortgage interest costs but as you noted you have to wait 13 weeks to receive it. I assume you will have to reclaim after 13 weeks, at least this is how it used to be done though common sense suggests that as it is a forseeable change a calculation could have been done to award you IS from week 13 or 14.

Incapacity Benefit is not earnings and therefore no disregard applies at all.

iac_2

Thanks for your response. Most helpful.

One further question.

Do you have to be actually receiving Income Support for 13 continuous weeks in order to claim Income Support for Mortgage Interest, or can you make a claim for ISMI 13 weeks after your claim for Income Support - even if your original Income Support claim has been refused?

ian

iamana1ias

Op, you don't actually own your home if you have a mortgage on it

Cozworth806

Hmm, not sure if IS would consider a nil rate award on the basis of your mortgage until week 13 or not? In some cases (WTC run on for example) the claim doesn't start until the benefit is calculated as being duly paid.

How old are the children? Under 10 and you will be ok for a while, I am not sure why you cannot ring to stop your Incap payments and then claim I.S. as a lone parent.