NEW: Got questions about energy? Put them to Gary and Andrew from MSE's Utilities team during our energy-themed 'Ask An Expert' event. Check back here from Tuesday 9 August, 12pm
Disability Benefits and mortgages

393 Posts
Hi all, any advice greatfully appreciated.
Has anyone had any recent experiences in mortgage applications where they take benefits such as carers, dla, tax credits etc into account as income. We have DLA and carers secured for a long time for my son and need a bit of a boost on income figures in this current housing market. Only one of us works as other is full time carer and with bank lending tight we need all the help we can get!!
Many thanks in advance.
Has anyone had any recent experiences in mortgage applications where they take benefits such as carers, dla, tax credits etc into account as income. We have DLA and carers secured for a long time for my son and need a bit of a boost on income figures in this current housing market. Only one of us works as other is full time carer and with bank lending tight we need all the help we can get!!
Many thanks in advance.
0
This discussion has been closed.
Latest MSE News and Guides
Replies
I think it depends entirely on the banks/building societies individual policies.
I remortgaged in April of this year following my divorce from my husband. I was with the Co-op and switched to the Halifax as they took into account the benefits I receive for my sons (DLA, CA, Tax credits). I had no problem getting the mortgage even though I don't have any other means of income.
Hi they take carers has an income but not dla .
I still say the best thing you can do is check with the lender you prefer to mortgage with. Co-op wouldn't let me re-mortgage in my sole name, but the Halifax did solely on my DLA, Carers Allowance and tax credits.
Good luck.
Its a situation I hate being in. We had to move to get nearer a better school for my son with his educational needs. As such we are in rented. But we have moved twice now in the last year as just when we get settled the landlord decides to sell. Happened once before and now our agent has written to say current landlord looking to retire and sell up but we have first option of buying the house.
With one wage in and all the benefits we can easily afford the mortagage but its persuading the bank as they just see the wage to go on. With the market as it is it will take all our savings for the deposit so will need all the boost we can get.
I will drop into Halifax next week for an informal chat first.
So despite paying a rate of 4.75% for the past 10 years on a similar income, we could not be offered a lower rate! (value of house over £120,000 now too!)
Interesting. I suppose this is a typical example of how things can change due to the economic climate. I remortgaged less than a year ago and had only carers, tax credits and childs dla (I have 2 disabled children), and I was granted a mortgage of over £100k on a property that is worth about £180k. At that time, they took into account 100% of my benefits. However, it seems now I wouldn't be so lucky!
Mortgage companies are always changing products and rules. It's a case of having to shop around until you (hopefully) find what you need. Good luck.
Or look at other non shareholder companies like Co-op etc
I live alone and bought a house while I was working. However my fortunes changed and I had an accident which left me disabled and also developed a chronic illness. In short I gradually became less able to do my job and eventually I had to leave work completely.
I did eventually (after 39 weeks) get help from DWP with mortgage interest payments. Almost 2 years ago I collapsed, ended up in Intensive Care for a while and almost lost my life. As I live 100 miles from family it has been extremely difficult in coping since and through advice from many including my GP, I decided to sell my house (currently on the market) and move to be near my family.
As I didn't have a 'portable' mortgage I first needed to change the mortgage and I used a mortgage advice company which advised and looked up the best lender for me (someone in my position) and found a lender who would offer me a mortgage - Halifax, although there were others that would but Halifax gave best deal. This advice was free!
They took my DLA and other benefit (I don't have carers allowance as I live alone!) into account - I can't work and as things stand may never work again!
Look into a mortgage advisor company - you don't have to accept their services and if you don't will not be charged.
goffo, I understand what you are saying and agree with a lot you say, and it is worrying with all the changes this con(ning) dem(nation) government are doing - which will be absolutely devastating for people in our situation.
However, I already had a mortgage before things became totally belly up without any fault of my own as I had always been independant, always worked, had no worries and loved life! Nobody knows what is in front of them - which is a good thing!
Obviously everyone's situation is different and you have to measure up all aspects, pros and cons etc before you take the plunge. I have plenty of equity in my house and have a very small mortgage.
Good luck aimingforadebtfreelife, and hope this helps.