Support for Mortgage Interest

leftholdingthebaby

Pollycat wrote: »

The info you've quoted is definitely out of date, the waiting period has been 13 weeks for some time - at least since sometime in 2009 when it was reduced from 39 weeks!

Where did you find the information you quoted?

I'd get in touch with the appropriate dept as advised on Directgov website:
https://www.gov.uk/support-for-mortgage-interest/eligibility

and ask if you are subject to the 13 weeks waiting period or not.

This is the link:-

http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/benefits-and-council-tax/welfare-rights-and-money-advice/mortgage-arrears

Horseunderwater

bigboybrother wrote: »

Yes it should be. But that doesn't mean to say that it will be returned to the DWP any time soon. The majority take up to 3 months to return it and some are known to take up to 18 months!!

The poster won't get any help with the mortgage interest until the DWP receive the MI12 back and have then had time (up to another 3 months) to verify and calculate the award.

Oh dear! For once Santander are one of the good ones then. It only took them a week. But then I had already been in touch with them and told them it was on the way and that the help was needed ASAP.

bigboybrother

Horseunderwater wrote: »

Oh dear! For once Santander are one of the good ones then. It only took them a week. But then I had already been in touch with them and told them it was on the way and that the help was needed ASAP.

That is fantastic service!!

Not everyone is as lucky though.

The Woolwich are well known to lose MI12's regularly and are on record of taking 16 months!

Pollycat

leftholdingthebaby

That information still refers to a 39 week waiting period which has been changed to 13 weeks now.

The page says 'last updated Dec 2010'.

As I said earlier, I think your best option is to contact

https://www.gov.uk/support-for-mortg...st/eligibility

and ask if you are subject to the 13 weeks waiting period or not.

leftholdingthebaby

Thanks to everyone who has replied. I phoned today to enquire about the Special Rules re abandonment and SMI and its now out of date.

Pollycat with all the stress I've been through I didn't notice it was last updated Dec 2010.

At least I know now, again thanks to you all.

Pollycat

I did think it was out-of-date too.

As you say, it's a very stressful time - I hope you have someone you can talk to.

Are you sure you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to?