mortgage and serious illness

[Ames]

Hi all. We've just had some bad news - my mum was diagnosed with a tumour in her lung yesterday. We'll know more on Wednesday, but she's worrying about money.

She's coming to the end of her sick leave at work, and she's worried how she'll pay the mortgage. She doesn't have insurance, and I don't know anything about them. Even if it's good news on Weds she'll have to have more time off for operations and things.

I know if it's fairly short term we can ask for a payment holiday, but if things are going to take more than a few months to get sorted out what can we do then?

I know nothing about mortgages so any advice would be great.

[di30]

Re: mortgage and serious illness

Hi all. We've just had some bad news - my mum was diagnosed with a tumour in her lung yesterday. We'll know more on Wednesday, but she's worrying about money.

She's coming to the end of her sick leave at work, and she's worried how she'll pay the mortgage. She doesn't have insurance, and I don't know anything about them. Even if it's good news on Weds she'll have to have more time off for operations and things.

I know if it's fairly short term we can ask for a payment holiday, but if things are going to take more than a few months to get sorted out what can we do then?

I know nothing about mortgages so any advice would be great.

Hi Ames

I am so sorry to hear about that, and wishing you all the best and hope all goes okay for your mum.

I am no expert in this field myself but sure someone will come along and give the best advice on where to take this, but in my opinion I would get some advice maybe from your local CAB, some have free solicitors so many times a month, so its worth checking with your local one, tell them its a matter of urgency.

They should be able to get a letter together and write to the mortgage lender to make some affordable payment arrangements.

Just a thought though, is your mum on benefits?
Maybe they can help with the interest side of the mortgage.

Some links below to give some ideas.....

http://www.insolvencyhelpline.co.uk/ide ... rrears.php

This below is mainly for England.
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advic ... ge_arrears

Useful info here:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAnd ... G_10013261

http://mortgagehelp.direct.gov.uk/what- ... tions.aspx

Will keep a check on your posts and fingers crossed someone will be along in the meantime, but I would in my personal opinion write a letter to the lender as well, but maybe with the help from the citizens advice, not unless someone on here have some template letters to help your lovely mum from here.


Also just to add, maybe a payment holiday request will be a good idea whilst trying to get this matter sorted out, I hope someone can clarify on this.

Good luck with this.

Di
X

[Ames]

Re: mortgage and serious illness

Hi di, thanks for the reply.

I wouldn't take her to CAB unless there was absolutely no other option. The first time I went they referred me to a solicitor and following her advice got me sued. Then I went for my debts and got so much duff info, I nearly followed their advice into bankruptcy. So I don't really trust their advice at all!

She's not on any benefits, which is something else I'm trying to find out about. I know about out of work benefits, but not about while she's on ssp, which will start in a few weeks, I've done a couple of online calculators and it doesn't look like she'll qualify for anything, I'll get her to apply for income support and tax credits though, even if they say no we haven't lost anything. From what I can gather though it goes on her working wage, even though she'll only be getting ssp.

She wont qualify for help with her mortgage because she has to wait 9 months, which I think is after going on means tested benefits, so that's well over a year away.

Once we know what's happening (which'll be wednesday), I'll get her to sign something giving me permission to deal with stuff, and I'll write for a payment holiday.

If it gets to ESA stage then I'll be fine and know exactly what to do, it's the seven months between now and then that's a problem.

I'll check out those links, thanks.

[di30]

Re: mortgage and serious illness

Hiya

Blimey so sorry to hear of your experience via CAB, that is awful!

I understand the Mortgage Rescue Scheme, was brought forward to either 9 or 13 weeks, 13 weeks rings the bell.

What about Community legal advice?
http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/
Your mum may be eligible for free legal help, if you have not checked the eligibility of these yet that may be worthwhile.

I expect you have already checked through the below link....of Benefits Adviser Service?

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItO ... /DG_172666

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

Also sorry for posting all the links but hope you find they are of some use, good luck.

[Ames]

Re: mortgage and serious illness

Thanks again.

I've been looking at the mortgage help, I need to check out the situation. The house was bought in 1988 but when my parents divorced I think mum remortgaged - it was changed into her name so I assume it was. Otherwise she'd get the help almost straight away!

I've been looking through the links but I need to get more info from her, which obviously isn't top of the list of things to bother her with. Once wednesday's out of the way then we'll have more info and know timescales and stuff. I'll probably get in touch with shelter then to run through the options, CLS are fab I've spoken to them before, and of course NDL.

Thanks again for the help, if I need to know more I'll post again.

[di30]

Re: mortgage and serious illness

Hi Ames.

Hope your ok, and just wondering how things are going on this?
Thanks.