News report this evening's PM programme

hrafndot

First reports on the BBC PM programme today of people being affected by the October cut in mortgage interest payment support (SMI) causing problems.Support for mortgage interest went from 6% to 3.6%. The families were struck by ill health causing a mortgage shortfall.

Two stories of people falling severely behind and facing repossession in Manchester. The housing charity Shelter expressed its concern given that the cut will mostly affect older people and will involve smaller, but significant, amounts.

I don't think this actually qualifies as scare-mongering, since the story comes from a reliable source.

[Deleted User]

it isnt scaremongering and theres been a "sticky" on the benefits forum since early october viewed 13,000 times.
what is of concern is that 5 weeks in and the dwp still hasnt written to many claimants affected,although they have the info if you tele them,potentially the max shortfall is £100 per week although in reallity the average seems to be £20 ish per week.
225,000 families claim SMI across a wide range of ages and situations,from 1/11/11 those who claim via IBJSA who had their claim limited to 2 years will in order of claim receive NO further help.

hrafndot

That's the thing, I don't go to the the benefits forum; too much for me. I prefer our little ghetto amongst the footnotes!!

1 of the two interviewed had not been informed; either by DWP or lender. Very desolate woman facing reposession.

[Deleted User]

if you tele JC+they will tell you the new amount,and tbh anyone not already in arrears as of 1/10/10 wont be facing repossession yet it takes far longer than 5 weeks for this to happen.
When i spoke to my own lender they immediately reduced for 3 years my mortgage rate to 3.99% just above smi rate