Benefits & Crisis Loan

Buntin

Hello all

I'm am absolutely desperate for some advice, not sure if i'll be able to explain properly but i'll try my best. I was recently finished from work (15th Feb) and have had no money since then. I completed all the relevant forms from the benefits agency, IS, Council tax, housing costs etc and I have just got off the phone from them now. They are finally sending me out a giro in the post for two weeks IS money as they say it will be paid fortnightly. I enquired about my claim for help with my mortgage but she said this had been sent to their mortgage team and i shouldn't 'get my hopes up' as i may not get any help with my mortgage! I was absolutely gutted and was in tears on the phone. I asked her if i could apply for a crisi loan as to possibly help with my arrears as withhaving no money I have not been able to pay Feb/March mortgage, to this she replied 'very unlikely' as a crisis loan is only available to people with no money whatsoever and seeing as my giro is in the post then I'm not classed as skint basically! I can't believe it, I have never in my life claimed benefits, I have worked from being 16years old and not due to unfortunate incicents that has happened in my life, it seems I can't get any help. My mortgage is only a interest only and I have read that the benefits agency do normally pay mortgage costs if your on IS? I'm so sorry if I have rambled on a bit, I just don't know what to do as I'm getting letters from my mortgage company saying if my arrears are not paid in the next 7 days they will be contacting their solicitor etc which i don't want to happen. Please can any one give me a little advice, I just can't stop crying as I don't no what to do.

Thanks in advance

Julie x

djdeckstar

your best bet is talk to housing benefit and not the ppl that pay your income support they maybe able to give you some info also tell them you are getting letters from mortage ppl and they might be able to speed up your application

Buntin

Thanks djd, i really appreciate that. I thought that housing benefits was different from housing costs though? When I originally put my claim in they did everything all at once for me, ie they took all my details to see what i would be entitled to including council rates and housing costs so I presumed that it was all be dealt with through them?

DaisyFlower

I think there is a 39 week wait before help with interest on your mortgage.

Can you not claim JSA instead of IS and perhaps sign up with some agencies whilst you look for another permanent job.

djdeckstar

the benefit agentcy get you to fill in all the forms then they are ment to pass them on to the differnt departments but i would check with houising benefit that they have recived your application if not you may need to get a form from them

krisskross

I believe that the only way to get quicker help with mortgage payments is if you have been abandoned by your partner and presumably have children. Would this apply?

jobbingmusician

My understanding is that it is HB who pay your mortgage, as well. HOWEVER, the norm is that they will not pay anything towards your mortgage for 39 weeks after you first claim. (See http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-4176.cfm)

Sorry to be the bearer of such bad news, but don't despair. Because these rules are so stupid and draconian, lots of people go through this problem and mortgage companies are used to it. They do not repossess the house of everyone in your situation!!!!

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS TO CONTACT YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY TO EXPLAIN THAT YOU ARE HAVING PROBLEMS PAYING, AND WHY. They want to work WITH you to help you. Tell them your financial situation (do you have ANY savings?) and ask what you should do.

A visit to the CAB will also help you to straighten out your own head a bit, feel a bit more positive, and start getting your affairs in order. Because it sounds as if you are suffering far more from fear at the moment than from shortage of money, even though you have no money. But contact your mortgage company and let them know, in any case - don't wait!

djdeckstar

when you put a claim in for income support they always ask do you want to put in a claim for housing benefit and council tax benefit but dont always do the paper work it worth checking with housing benefit......

healy

Housing benefit is for people who are renting and you apply through the local council. Income Support for the interest on mortgage payments is dealt with by the DWP. In your case there is no point contacting the council about HB as you are not renting.

jobbingmusician

healy wrote: »

Housing benefit is for people who are renting and you apply through the local council. Income Support for the interest on mortgage payments is dealt with by the DWP. In your case there is no point contacting the council about HB as you are not renting.

Not quite right, in my recent experience....any council tax relief you are entitled to will be processed by the HB team

Buntin

Thank you all for your help and advice, i really appreciate it.xx
Basically it looks like i'll end up losing my house because i don't have any savings and if i have to wait 39 weeks before getting any help then my arrears will be over 9 months! I can't get look for any work at the moment as I'm suffering from severe post traumatic stress due to being attacked a few years ago, the guy just got out of prison which has put me back to square one which is why i ended up losing my job in the first place. Would they not give me a crisis loan to help pay my mortgage? I don't know how they expect me to live off £59 per week including all my bill etc, it doesn't seem fair.