If you have recently lost you job and have started claiming benefits expecting support on your mortgage I would make you aware of the current situation according to the Department for Work & Pensions.
You will be interested in the announcements - 16th January and 27th January 2009 (click here).
Problems with there IT systems are leading to payments being short.
PDF version
On 21 April 2009, the Prime Minister announced that Homeowners Mortgage Support is now available to help homeowners who suffer a temporary income shock. It means that eligible homeowners will be able to make smaller mortgage repayments for up to two years, without the risk of losing their homes.
* You can read the News Release: New homeowners mortgage support begins - 21 April 2009
* More details about the scheme for consumers can be found on the Directgov website (external link)
More general advice for anyone worried about keeping up with their mortgage repayments can be found at DirectGov - keeping your home (external link) or by reading the leaflet - Are you worried about your mortgage? Get advice now (external link) which has been Crystal Marked for its clarity.
In this section
* Homeowners Mortgage Support - Policy scheme description
Related publications
*
Guide to Homeowners Mortgage Support
o Published: 21 April 2009
o Site: Housing
*
Impact Assessment of Homeowners Mortgage Support
o Published: 21 April 2009
o Site: Housing
*
Real Help for the Housing Market - Factsheet
http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/buyingselling/mortgagesupportscheme/
Dr Phyllis Starkey, Chairman of the Communities and Local Government Select Committee, introduced a debate in Westminster Hall on the Committee's report on housing and the credit crunch, and the Government's response. Housing Minister, Ian Austin, responded to the debate.
- Commons Hansard: Housing and the credit crunch
- Video and Audio: Housing and the credit crunch
- Communities and Local Government Committee report: Housing and the Credit Crunch
- Communities and Local Government Select Committee report: Housing and the Credit Crunch: Follow-up
- Government Response: Housing and the Credit Crunch (pdf)
- Topical Issues: Housing
Westminster Hall adjournment debates allow MPs to consider issues of local or personal interest which rarely have time to be debated in the main Chamber of the House of Commons. MPs can discuss a variety of issues and receive a response from a government Minister.
On Thursdays, the sitting consists of a single debate, either on a report from a select committee - as on this occasion - or a topic chosen by the Government.
http://news.parliament.uk/2009/07/mps-debate-housing-and-the-credit-crunch/
The Ministry of Justice has launched a series of online articles and videos to help people who are threatened with having their homes repossessed.
The advice at www.direct.gov.uk gives advice from the first arrears right up to what happens at a court hearing.
It is suitable for both homeowners and people renting a home.
The Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) has predicted that 65,000 homes will be repossessed by lenders as a result of mortgage arrears in 2009.
"The Government has taken considerable steps to ensure people struggling to pay their rent or mortgage get the help they need to stay in their homes," said Justice Minister Bridget Prentice.
"Mortgage repossession figures released earlier this month show that the number of people facing repossession has considerably reduced since this time last year, but we're not complacent."
The number of homes repossessed in the UK fell 10% in the three months from April to June, compared with the previous three months, according to the CML.
But the figure of 11,400 homes repossessed was up 14% compared with the same period the previous year.
The homelessness charity Shelter has warned of a second wave of home repossessions when interest rates rise.
It said that rising unemployment would also add to the risk of homeowners being unable to make their regular repayments in the coming months.
Debts and arrears
Mortgage arrears or payment difficulties
Difficulties with paying your mortgage - what to do, who to contact and who can help
Council Tax arrears
What to do if you can't pay your Council Tax and what happens if you don't pay
Rent arrears
Falling behind with your rent - what to do, your rights as a tenant and who can help
Tax and other debts owing to HM Revenue & Customs'
What happens if you don't pay your tax bill, how HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) can help and what to expect if they take court proceedings
Hire purchase and debt
What to do if you're having problems with a hire purchase agreement
What happens to debts when someone dies?
How different debts are paid off when someone dies, the possible effect on a jointly owned home and where to get advice
Overdrafts and other bank debts
Using overdrafts and loans to borrow money from your bank and what to do if you can't pay it back
Bailiffs and debt collectors
What happens when a bailiff or debt collector calls, what they can and can't do and your rights
Overdue utility bills
Why you should prioritise overdue utility bills, what to do about arrears and where to go for help
Dealing with loan sharks
How loan sharks work, why they're best avoided and what to do if you've already borrowed from one
See also...
- Your money (parents section)
- Financial support (disabled people section)
- Losing your home (home and community section)
- Student finance (education and learning section)
- What to do if your benefit is overpaid
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/DebtsAndArr...
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/index.htm
f you can't meet your mortgage repayments, or you're worried you might fall behind, contact your lender as soon as possible. You can also get free independent advice from other organisations and you may be able to get help with your mortgage from new schemes starting in early 2009.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/DebtsAndArr...
Managing debt
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/ManagingDebt/index.htm?P...