Just to clarify the rules concerning the increase in housing costs from 100,000 to 200,000.

Am I right in thinking that existing recipients of mortgage interest will not have the capital level increased. I have an Income Support claimant who has been getting mortgage help for some time now based on 100,000.

I have looked at the regs and guidance and it mentions those who have served 13 week qualifying period will get it paid under the new limit. Does this apply only to those who aren't already getting any help?

Hi Scott

From looking at DMG Memo 01/09 it appears that existing claimants will only benefit from the new rules if they are receiving a relevant benefit on 4.01.09 (i.e. IS, JSA or ESA) AND had not yet completed their qualifying period of either 26 or 39 weeks on that date.

Assuming your client was already getting 100% of eligible interest paid with IS on 4.1.09 then I think the £100,000 limit remains in place.

Derek

Does anyone know if the current claimant can request a revision to go under the new levels, and will they have to wait 13 weeks from 4/1/09 ?

There a lot of things about this subject I find it very difficult to know! However, I suspect that a current claimant has to have their existing claim terminated and then wait so that the linking period under whatever linking rules apply to them has expired before making a new claim. They then wait 13 weeks under the new rules before getting housing costs.

But this cannot be taken as definite - if anyone could confirm it is the case it would be helpful.

Also, I have not been able to find out whether the claimant is allowed to terminate their existing claim in the way that would be necessary to do this.