Mortgage Benefit

cazza500

I am on JSA after being made redundant and I have just been sent a form to apply for help with my mortgage interest. I am a bit scared of filling it in as the mortgage was taken out by my ex partner and I but since he left 3 years ago I have paid the mortgage on my own but never informed the mortgage company - mainly as I was afraid they would say I had to take out a mortgage in my sole name which I couldn't afford on paper even though I manage in reality. My question is if I send this form off the mortgage company will then know I'm on my own and can they then force me to re-mortgage? I know this probably sounds very silly but I did what I thought was best at the time.

Pollycat

A friend of mine is in a similar position and she has had no problems with filling the forms in.

I would, if I were you, consider your financial situation if you have been paying a mortgage yourself for 3 years that is in joint names.

Your ex partner will benefit from the 36 payments you've made.
Maybe consider getting an appointment with CAB.

midnight_express

If the mortgage is in his name only you won't get any help towards it.

nannytone_2

ypu will only get interest payments on your half of the mortgage, if it is in 2 names.

you really need to sort this out, as it could potentially affect your ex partners credit too[/B]

Pollycat

Cazza
can you confirm if the mortgage is in joint names or just your ex partners.

My comment was based on the mortgage being in both names.

nannytoone
is this really true? My friend is paying all the mortgage even though it is in both names - he won't pay. I think she is expecting to get SMI on the full monthly amount (up to the limit, whatever that is).

nannytone wrote: »

ypu will only get interest payments on your half of the mortgage, if it is in 2 names.

you really need to sort this out, as it could potentially affect your ex partners credit too[/B]

nannytone_2

if the mortgage is in 2 names but the claim is just in 1 name ...
the claim will only cover the claimants obligation

Pollycat

Do you have a link to somewhere that this is confirmed.

I've looked at directgov and it doesn't mention one person paying a mortgage that is in joint names.

mynameistallulah

midnight_express wrote: »

If the mortgage is in his name only you won't get any help towards it.

That is incorrect. The DWP looks at who has responsibility for meeting the payments, and as the OP can demonstrate that they do (from the fact that they have been paying it for so long), they will be eligible for SMI. This is quite common, especially where parents have taken out a mortgage for their children.

nannytone wrote: »

ypu will only get interest payments on your half of the mortgage, if it is in 2 names.

you really need to sort this out, as it could potentially affect your ex partners credit too[/B]

Again, this is not true. As long as the OP can show that they have responsibility for paying the mortgage, they will be eligible for SMI on the whole amount. Refer to the Decision Makers Guide if unsure.