Struggling with mortgage repayments
Mortgage rescue
This will provide useful information on what assistance is available including the Mortgage Rescue Scheme, and the new Homeowner Mortgage Support
If you are struggling to pay your mortgage, or you think it will be difficult to pay more when your fixed-rate deal ends act now to stop your situation becoming worse.
For advice on all the Government schemes listed below contact the Housing Advice Officer at Fylde Borough Council to make an appointment on 01253 658658 or call into the One Stop Shop Clifton Drive St Annes.
For further advice download the leaflet to the right ‘Mortgage Advice’. This provides a step by step guide including;
1. Don’t ignore the problem
2. Look at your situation and check what help you can get
3. Talk to your lender
4. Show that you are willing to pay what you can
5. Find out what your options are
6. Make the right decision for your family’s future
Support for mortgage interest
Support for mortgage interest (SMI) is aimed at homeowners on certain income-based benefits, such as income support or income-based jobseeker’s allowance.
It is paid to your mortgage lender by the government 13 weeks after you claim and covers interest due on the first £200,000 of your mortgage at the Bank of England’s published monthly average mortgage interest rate.
It is only paid for up to two years if you are getting income-based jobseeker’s allowance.
Contact Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service to check whether you’re eligible and to claim.
The Government's Mortgage Rescue Scheme
This scheme can help and should be used as a last resort.
You may qualify for the scheme if you have dependent children or anyone in your household is pregnant, elderly or disabled.
If your household earns more than £60,000 a year, you cannot use this scheme, and there are limits on the value of your property that may stop you applying for help.
For more advice on this scheme contact the Housing Advice Offcer at Fylde Borough Council on 01253 658658 to make an appointment to discuss your options.
State benefits
You should also make sure you are receiving all the state benefits you are entitled to. Visit Directgov for more on benefits, use the link on the right of this page.
Unsure who to talk to for advice – click on the useful contact section to the left, this provides a list of organisations who will be able to offer free, confidential and independent advice.
