Wondered if anyone had any experience of the following:

A client and her brother have jointly been left a property by their late mother. The client was and still is living there. Following probate the property has been on the market but no interest. She is now considering the possiblity of taking a mortgage to buy out her brother who is anxious for his share. The client is currently recieving Incapacity Benefit. If she is able to secure a mortgage for approx. 50% of the value would she then be able to receive help with housing costs through Income Support after the waiting time?

I can see the regs state that it is not possible in most circumstances if you are receiving IS or JSA(IB) but what if the loan is taken out while on IB?

Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

Subject to limited exceptions you cannot get help if the loan was taken out during a ‘relevant period’. A relevant period is one where the claimant (for IS):

·is in receipt of IS, IBJSA or IRESA;
·is a family member of someone in receipt of IS, IRESA or IBJSA; or
·is in a liked period

Receipt of ICB in itself does not preclude entitlement.