Please help - all JSA is being taken for mortgage, leaving no money for food or bills

SuziQ

OP I had one of these letters too, it is very confusing but trust everyone here, the interest towards your mortgage is ON TOP of your JSA, so no need to panic!

nannytone_2

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I don't really think that £82 per week is a lot of money, even for an interest only mortgage.

blimey..... how obvious is it that ive never had a mortgage ? lol

Muttleythefrog

As above... badly worded letter from DWP. Many people query the same. They should add on the SMI to your JSA payments and then subtract it and pay it to your lender directly on a 4 weekly basis. Probably you will have to contact your lender to renegotiate your payments though ... otherwise presumably they'll treat SMI as overpayments to your account. I think I've only ever received one letter from the DWP that made sense... shame it was sent out in error and was completely inappropriate...lol

Bill_Bob

CazGreg wrote: »

After a certain number of weeks on JSA, you apply for help with your mortgage. This 'help' comes in the form of them taking money from your JSA and paying it straight to the mortgage lender.

I've just received letters about this. My JSA is £65.45 a week. The letter informs me that they will be taking £82.19 a week from that to pay for the mortgage!!!
I tried to contact the correct department today but all I got was confirmation that these figures are correct. The letter tells me I cannot appeal this decision.

I don't understand. How do I buy food? Bills? Pay the council tax?

As previously stated the letter is badly worded as it is computer generated. The letter doesn't define your overall award which would be £147.64 per week (JSA Personal Allowance £65.45 + Mortgage Interest Payment £82.19 not taking into account any deductions). JCP then deduct the £82.19 from the total each week and pay that to the mortgage lender as a four weekly payment £328.76 (£82.19 x 4).

Don't panic you'll still get your JSA payment and your mortgage lender will be receiving their first payment soon.

Also, not sure why your JSA award is £65.45 it should now be £67.50. Benefit was uprated in April. You may want to give them a call and check your Personal Allowance as been uprated.