ESA problems

Housing benefit is only available for rent or payments in the nature of rent, like service charges.

It is not available for mortgages. Helt for mortgage is available though IS/JSA but the rules are different to those which apply to HB. In particular help only kicks in after 13 weeks ; the policy rationale behind this is to encourage people to take out insurance.

Not knowing whether we''re talking about IS or HB it''s hard to advise but it might be worth claiming now, not because you''ll get anything ( if he''s paying it anyway, you won''t ) but to start the 13 weeks running.

Now having done CAB for many years I don''t know whether this information is still correct and it would be worth checking ; but one thing I am sure has not changed is the need to claim quickly, as benefits can''t normally be backdated.

LMM

Thx LMM

It is for ESA Income Support and Im awaiting the formal letter. I can then appply for the Interest part on mortgage and send Ex Sols letter confirming he pays till Feb 2013.

As things are progressing Im understanding more what you have advised. Not knowing anything about the benifit system and even reading about this even though Ive been to CAB. I dont always get it, all the abbreviations,who, what and when etc.

But you''ve been spot on everytime. Much appreciated.