Mortgage Interest Relief Payments

Hi there,

I'm making an enquiry on behalf of my father. My father is in his late 50's and has worked all his life and never claimed any benefits before, so there's a few things we are unsure of.

He was recently diagnosed with heart trouble, and his doctor has said that he is not fit for work anymore (physically demanding job) he was getting weak and dizzy spells at work, was a danger to himself and others.

For the past month his doctor has recommend he take time off and he has been signing sick certs for him and my father is getting Illness Benefit at present.

He lives alone with his wife (She's a homemaker, doesn't work) and with his Illness Benefit and his allowance for his wife they're getting around E329 per week between the two of them.

Now, I know that if someone was in the same situation and renting they'd be entitled to a fairly substantial rental allowance which would cover 90% of their rent, and I have heard that there is a thing called Mortgage Interest Relief.

Could my parents avail of this? I know no-one can give me an accurate estimate of how much it would be but I've heard reports of people getting just E20 or some other paltry sum whilst claiming Mortgage Interest Relief, surely this couldn't be right though?

From doing the sums my parents would be left with very little (not enough to feed themselves on even!) after paying their mortgage out of my Dad's illness benefit and supplement for my mother.

Is the Mortgage Interest Relief payment really poor in comparison to a rental allowance?

I'm their only child and I'm still in college so I cannot even begin to support them financially in any way yet.

I'm really worried about them, please tell me that the Mortgage Interest Relief payment isn't as low as I fear it is!

Thanks guys! x

Hi Boardsie08

I'm afraid I dont really have any answers but didn't want to not post.

I'd say the best bet is to ring your local social welfare office and explain the situation.

By the way, Mortgage Interest Relief is what's paid to all houseowners though in the form of a credit against their monthly mortgage payment so I don't think that's the name of the benefit you're enquiring about.

I hope everything works out for you and your family

There is another payment available from either Social Welfare of HSE, not sure which, basically they pay a percentage of the interest portion of the mortgage payment depending on your income. I'm sure the local social welfare or MABS office could tell you. Your father could also contact the bank the mortgage is with and switch to interest only until such time as things get better or you are in a position to help out.

Boardsie,
The allowance you're referring to is Mortgage Interest Supplement, and is administered through Community Welfare Officers at local Health Centres.

Because the supplement is based on the interest portion of the mortgage repayment, it can be difficult to estimate what a person would be entitled to. This would also explain the difference in entitlements between Mortgage Interest Supplement and Rent Supplement.

I suggest your family contact the local CWO, get the application forms (2 forms, one is completed by the bank/building society, the other by your father), and submit them. They will lose nothing by applying.

While at the health centre, your father should also enquire about a medical card (if he doesn't have one already), this could help with the medical expenses I'm sure he's got at this time.

If his GP has declared that your father is no longer fit for work, he may be entitled to transfer to Invalidity Pension (instead of Illness Benefit). Usually a person must be on Illness Benefit for 1 year before applying for the Invalidity, but exceptions can be made depending on the situation. The Pension is higher than the benefit, and there are some additional benefits (e.g. free travel, possible free electricity/gas allowance), so again worthwhile checking it out. Contact Illness Benefit section (the number should be on the medical certs he's getting) to make enquiries about transferring to the Invalidity Pension.