Single Person claiming SSP- When Can I Get Mortgage Help ?

knickebein

Hello All,

I am a new member here, and urgently needing advice please.

I am a single man, with mortgage, I am the only person living in my two bedroom house. I have negligible savings, which are rapidly diminishing.
I am currently on week 9 of SSP with my employer, I have had two seperate knee operations, first one last August, and now awaiting another one on my lower back within the next 3-6 months.
I have no other income, but I have completed a housing benefit claim to help with my council tax, and this is now being taken care of.

My prognosis on the next 12 months means that it is unlikely that I will return to work in the near future.
On this basis I have applied for PIP to assist in my mobility.
My question is this...After 13 weeks I believe I can apply for help with my mortgage interest. I find it VERY confusing.

Can I apply while still on SSP after 13 weeks?
Or do I have to wait till after the full 28 weeks of SSP to make a claim for mortgage interest help ?

I am really confused !

I am just keeping my head above water at the moment and cant survive if it is longer than 13 weeks on only SSP.

Thanks for any replies, much appreciated......... M.

anmarj

SMI is only payable on certain means tested benefits like Income Support, Income related ESA/JSA

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/money_problems/mortgage_arrears/support_for_mortgage_interest
Support for mortgage interest payments

If you are claiming certain benefits, support for mortgage interest (SMI) payments may help you with your mortgage interest and interest payments on loans taken out for improvements or repairs.
Support for mortgage interest (SMI)

Support for mortgage interest (SMI) helps home-owners with the costs of mortgage payments and some loans for repairs and improvements to the home when claiming certain other benefits. The qualifying benefits are:

• income support
• income-based jobseeker's allowance
• income-related employment and support allowance
• pension credit.

I would suggest getting in touch with Shelter and see if they can help you go through your options

knickebein

Thanks for the info....
I understand that you need to be on those benefits before you can get any assistance with interest..
The question I find confusing is that my employer pays SSP for 28 weeks then I would move on to ESA , if not back at work, but that is over six months before I can claim any help.
Am I reading it correctly or not please ? M

anmarj

knickebein wrote: »

Thanks for the info....
I understand that you need to be on those benefits before you can get any assistance with interest..
The question I find confusing is that my employer pays SSP for 28 weeks then I would move on to ESA , if not back at work, but that is over six months before I can claim any help.
Am I reading it correctly or not please ? M

you are reading it correctly and then you would have the waiting period as well.

tomtontom

You can apply for IS at 13 weeks. You may be able to establish an underlying entitlement in which case you will be eligible for SMI.

knickebein

tomtontom wrote: »

You can apply for IS at 13 weeks. You may be able to establish an underlying entitlement in which case you will be eligible for SMI.

OK so do I take it that is after13 weeks of SSP ?
Also what would be an example of an underlying entitlement please ?
Many thanks M

cattie

You can claim Income Support whilst claiming SSP, you may not qualify for payments as your SSP may exceed the amount you will be entitled to, but I.S will refer the claim to the mortgage section and you may then get help with your mortgage interest.

pmlindyloo

cattie wrote: »

You can claim Income Support whilst claiming SSP, you may not qualify for payments as your SSP may exceed the amount you will be entitled to, but I.S will refer the claim to the mortgage section and you may then get help with your mortgage interest.

I agree. I do not think that you have to wait to claim Income Support.

In the assessment of Income Support they take into account housing costs.

There is a link between SSP and Income Support (sorry, can't remember the correct terminology) so I believe you will be eligible for the SMI 13 weeks after you started on SSP if you meet the income/savings criteria.

Are you over 25 and were you working 30 hrs or more? If you meet both these criteria you may be eligible for working tax credit as your income will have dropped and you are counted as being in employment for 28 weeks whilst on SSP.

knickebein

I am so thankful of all the replies, I feel there may be a chink of light at the end of the tunnel.

I will inquire tomorrow about claiming income support as 13 wks wont be long now.

I want to get back to work ASAP but it seems many months away.
Regards M

Indie_Kid

knickebein wrote: »

I am so thankful of all the replies, I feel there may be a chink of light at the end of the tunnel.

I will inquire tomorrow about claiming income support as 13 wks wont be long now.

I want to get back to work ASAP but it seems many months away.
Regards M

It's Saturday tomorrow and I don't think DWP are open at the weekend.

knickebein

Indie_Kid wrote: »

It's Saturday tomorrow and I don't think DWP are open at the weekend.

Doh.. Monday .... Thanks