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Original poster

Income support claim affected by homeownership?

19 replies

happysadconfused · 12/02/2010 10:52

Hello, I wonder if anyone can help me.
Have just split from my lt partner 2 weeks ago. Myself and my 3 year old have left the family home and are currently staying with my pensioner parents. This is temporary, as they will soon be selling their home. My ex partner is still at the family home.
I have applied for income support, and have recieved a form today, asking about details of our old home. Will the fact my name is on the mortgage affect my income support claim? Does it depend on the value of the house? It's just one thing after another, and I'm holding onto my sanity by a thread at the moment. Does anybody know?

OP posts:

tellmewhy · 12/02/2010 14:01

If i were you i would fill the forms in for income support.They usally only pay from when they recieve the form so do that now.
I'm not 100% sure about the family home affecting the amount you recieve but i don't think so,because your ex still lives there.If the house was sold then any money made would then affect your IS.

Just found this:
If you have more than £16,000 in capital, you cannot get Income Support.

Capital means anything that could provide you with a source of income. It includes savings, property and land (but not personal possessions or the home where you live).

Capital of more than £6,000 will affect how much Income Support you get. You will be treated as getting £1 a week in income for every £250 of capital (or part of £250) above the £6,000 limit. This is regardless of how much money you actually receive from your capital, if any.
Hope thats so help.

Original poster

happysadconfused · 12/02/2010 15:36

So that means I won't be able to get income support?
I have no money.

OP posts:

LauraIngallsWilder · 12/02/2010 15:40

Hi happysadconfused
I think the way its interpreted is that you have money if you have property - as the value of the property is taken into account

That probably sounds horribly unhelpful to you in your current position.

My brain is addled so I cannot think of sensible advice - someone else will hopefully!

I hope your life seems brighter soon.

Original poster

happysadconfused · 12/02/2010 15:45

Oh my god.
I've just spent the the most difficult two weeks of my life, walked away from a relationship of 15 years, taken my 3 year old son away from his home, because I believe we deserved better and it was the right thing to do.
Now I either have to go back til the house is sold or live with no money?
We only put my name on the mortgage a year ago.

OP posts:

Remotew · 12/02/2010 15:48

Another one not sure. I claimed IS when my mum's house, that I had been left 1/3 of, was on the market. I am sure you will be entitled to IS as your house is occupied by your ex so not a source of income for you.

You just won't get any hb whilst living with your parents.

ToccataAndFudge · 12/02/2010 15:49

how much equity is there on the house. That affects how much capital you have as well.

Original poster

happysadconfused · 12/02/2010 15:57

No I understand I can't claim hb here, but I'm looking for a place for me and little one at the moment too. I'm trying so hard, and doing well keeping myself together and now this has knocked me sideways.
Um, right, the mortgage is £95,000, I the value is around £140,000/£150,000. The house will be sold eventually, as the mortgage is too much for my ex anyway, but not immediately surely. What a bloody nightmare, I'm in tears again.
Thanks for trying to advise me everyone....

OP posts:

Original poster

happysadconfused · 12/02/2010 15:58

abouteve, I hope you're right....

OP posts:

Trickle · 12/02/2010 15:59

My income support pays for mortgage interest - though that is I believe becasue I still live here. I'm not sure they can count it as capital if you don't actually have access to it though (ie no actual money) really what you need to do right now is go to your local CAB, CLAN or ClAC who will be able to explain benefit rules to you and look at your individual circumstances.

You could also ring jobcenterplus - but I have found they can be a bit hit and iss in knowing their own rules and would trust one of the above organisations much more - you local council should be able to tell you where they are. Take all your paper work with you and they should be able to help.

MrsSantosloves2010 · 12/02/2010 16:03

Hi, I have been awarded IS recently and I am joint owner of our home on which there is a mortgage. I don't plan to sell any time soon unless I am forced to so it is not capital and therefore doesn't count. The two things they take into account, AFAIK, are the amount of maintenance (if any) that your X pays and any savings. If you have no money and no maintenance then you should get the full entitlement of about £65 per week.

I'm not a benefits expert and don't really want to become one (am waiting to hear if I have been shortlisted after an interview). There is this which looks good which I came across on here the other day. Try them for good advice. Good luck

Original poster

happysadconfused · 12/02/2010 16:10

mrssanto, are you still living in your home though?
trickle, I've been trying to get seen by cab for a week and a half, and eventually spoke to someone the beginning of the week, unfortunately, I wasn't aware of this potential problem. it'll take me that long again to talk to someone.
I really need to get these forms off and hope for the best, or my claim (if any) will be held up.
do they mean if I'm renting out a house maybe? the form was so boggling, and my head is all over the place anyway......
sorry for any mistakes, got lo on my knee..

OP posts:

MrsSantosloves2010 · 12/02/2010 16:12

Yes - I see what you mean. I still don't think it would affect your claim but why not ring them? I did the application over the phone. I'm usually fine with paperwork, forms etc. but my head was a mess. They must train the staff really well because the woman I spoke to was lovely. very patient (I was being a bit thick and weepy at the time ). I think I started the process over the internet (direct.gov.uk?) and then they followed it up on the phone.

tellmewhy · 12/02/2010 16:17

I think they mean if you are renting out your house.You won't be recieving any income from your house.
Can you give them a reason for leaving your home and why you can't return?
Is there a number to ring on the form for advice?

You will be able to claim child tax credits.If you already have a joint claim ring them and get it changed.

noddyholder · 12/02/2010 16:21

They mean property as investment not the family home.Once it os sold if you have any 'profit'that you don't use to buy another it will be considered savings I think.

Trickle · 12/02/2010 16:26

Is there a Community Legal Advice Center (CLAC) or Community Legal Advice Network (CLAN)in your local area? They may also be able to help.

Not being funny but are you ringing CAB or going down in person - our local CAB prioritises (SP - sorry) 'walk ins' and often has no one to answer the phone.

TBH those housing forms are a nightmare to understand - and they send them out when you think you have everything done. Are the notes that came with it any help whatsoever? JCP may be able to help you understand what they want over the phone - though I have found it can be hit and miss you may be lucky. Sorry I can't be more help, difficult if you can't see the form.

Is any part of it to be filled out by your mortgage company - if so you may find the form is slightly less boggling and your bit is actually really simple just not clear

Original poster

happysadconfused · 12/02/2010 17:36

MrsS, I've just come back from posting the form, I didn't want it delayed anymore than it has to be, sure I could get the number though to ring them.
Tellme, I'm thinking they might mean if I'm renting out a property, I hope so, I've already tackled the child tax credits.
noddy, so when it odes sell, I can put money on another home without it affecting IS? (hypathetical question as I doubt I'll be getting enough from the sell to put down on another home AND I don't even know if I'll be getting IS!
trickle, thanks, I haven't heard of those, CLAC and CLAN, will check on that.
as for the CAB, I went down, couldn't get to see anyone as it was rammed, the promised me a call back within 5 days, which is when I spoke to them.
There's no part to be filled by the mortgage co. just by me.
I think the best bet is to ring them on monday and see.
AS you say, you get your head down, wade through it all, think you've done everything, then this happens. Was keeping my emotions in check till this popped up unexpectedly, and knocked me for six. I panicked I'd have to go back, and my ex would love that, have some more time to work on me...
Thanks so much all of you for trying to help an emotional fool.

OP posts:

Original poster

happysadconfused · 12/02/2010 17:38

"and your bit is actually really simple just not clear "
fingers crossed, here's hoping...

OP posts:

Trickle · 12/02/2010 17:59

will keep fingers crossed here too

foreverastudent · 12/02/2010 18:56

There are special rules for claiming IS after a relationship breakdown when you dont live in your old (owned) home anymore. They will not take into account the capital value of your joint home for 6 months. So yoou have to sell it within that time or your IS will be stopped. There are some fairly complex rules surrounding this, which not everyone working with the DWP will be aware of so make sure they dont put you off applying and receiving what you are entitled to.

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