Single mum on Universal Credit is facing homelessness with her three-year-old because she can’t get help with her mortgage
A SINGLE mum and her three-year-old son could be homeless in weeks after starting claiming Universal Credit.
Tina Davidson, 38, and son Jake, from Aberdeenshire, have been unable to keep up with her debts after going on to the new benefits system.
The Scottish mum, who is suffering from depression and anxiety and is currently signed off sick, has been given three weeks to pay more than £2,000 or the home she’s lived in for almost 20 years will be repossessed.
She’s getting just over £500 a month in Universal Credit and child support, but can’t get help to pay her £200-a-month mortgage bill as she hasn’t been on benefits for long enough.
She told The Sun Online: “Nobody cares – you only get help if you’re in rented accommodation.
“All the pennies I get in go straight out. I’m not asking for anything for free but I need a bit of help or I’m going to lose my home.”
She gets around £270 a month in child support alongside her £317 Universal Credit entitlement, but is still drowning in debt.
And she has to pay back an advance she got when she first went on to the new system because she was “so broke” she couldn’t make her first Universal Credit payment of £71 last.
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Tina’s borrowed from friends and family, taken out an Amigo guarantor loan and is constantly reaching her overdraft limit.
She’s had to put her two-bed house up for sale as she can’t afford to pay the mortgage debt.
Tina says she is on the council house waiting list but might have to “sofa surf” until she gets somewhere.
And she had her car repossessed too because she missed multiple payments.
Support for mortgage interest is only available after nine consecutive Universal Credit payments, or after claiming other benefits for 39 weeks.
How to get help with mortgage payments
Contact your lender
Your first step should be to talk to your mortgage provider, to see if they can help with temporary payment arrangements, lengthening the term of your mortgage, or switching to just paying the interest.
Get debt advice
Charities including Shelter, National Debtline and StepChange help with free guidance if you can’t meet your payments.
Mortgage interest
If you’re on Universal Credit, JSA, ESA, Income Support or Pension Credit tou might be able to get help. You’ll need to pay it back but usually onlt when you sell the home or give it to someone else.
This means they can help pay the interest on your mortgage – and can also help with interest on loans for repairs or home improvements. It won’t help with the actual mortgage payments. But you can only make a claim after being on benefits for 39 weeks. If you get Pension Credit, you can get it straight away.
Mortgage Rescue Scheme
In Wales you can be put in touch with a housing association through your council who could buy a stake in the home, or buy the property and rent it to you.
You need to get in touch with your local council first.
In Scotland there’s a Home Owner’s Support Fund too – a social landlord can buy your home and rent it back to you, or the Scottish Government can buy a 30% stake in your home and reduce how much you owe on the mortgage.
Tina tried to sign on for help in April but struggled numerous times to get help.
She finally made a claim for Universal Credit in June.
She is still struggling to deal with the breakdown of her marriage – when she found her now ex paying for online sex on webcams – and she claims her son barely sees his dad.
“I used to work worldwide earning good money, but then I fell pregnant and had my son,” she explained.
“I feel like I can’t fight anymore, I’m really struggling.
“I have mental illness and anxiety.
“And I’m losing everything.
“I was and I am trying to be a strong woman again.”
Tina used to work on a oil rig offshore as an administrator, but was signed off with pregnancy sickness problems and mental health problems and was eventually let go from her job. Due to her working abroad she wasn’t entitled to the same maternity benefits when she returned back to Scotland.
“I feel like I’m being tossed aside, I feel useless and worthless,” she added.
Tina is just one of hundreds of Brits struggling with the new Universal Credit system which rolls six benefits into one monthly payment.
But it’s been blamed for forcing people into debt, making them go to foodbanks and even driving some women to prostitution.
Ministers are being urged to plug more money into the system in this afternoon’s Budget – and Chancellor Philip Hammond has given a big hint that an announcement is on the cards.
What to do if you have problems claiming Universal Credit
IF you’re experiencing trouble applying for your Universal Credit, or the payments just don’t cover costs, here are your options:
Apply for an advance – Claimants are able to get some cash within five days rather than waiting weeks for their first payment. But it’s a loan which means the repayments will be automatically deducted from your future Universal Credit pay out.
Alternative Payment Arrangements– If you’re falling behind on rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an APA which will get your payment sent directly to your landlord. You might also be able to change your payments to get them more frequently, or you can split the payments if you’re part of a couple.
Budgeting Advance – You may be able to get help from the government to help with emergency household costs of up to £348 if you’re single, £464 if you’re part of a couple or £812 if you have children. These are only in cases like your cooker breaking down or for help getting a job. You’ll have to repay the advance through your regular Universal Credit payments. You’ll still have to repay the loan, even if you stop claiming for Universal Credit.
Cut your Council Tax – You might be able to get a discount on your Council Tax or be entitled to Discretionary Housing Payments if your payments aren’t enough to cover your rent.
Foodbanks – If you’re really hard up and struggling to buy food and toiletries, you can find your local foodbank who will provide you with help for free. You can find your nearest one on the
Tina insists she’s doing everything she can to save cash – from following money-saving tips online, and only making purchases she really needs.
“I used to pay 40 per cent tax, but now I feel so let down with what I have to live on,” she said.
“What can I do to help change the system that is failing those in genuine need?
“My life is crumbling.”
A DWP spokesperson said: “Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) provides robust protection for homeowners against repossession and is available for Universal Credit claimants in addition to their claim.
“With Universal Credit, up to 100 per cent benefit advances are available. Our Jobcentres can also offer help with budgeting and signpost people to debt support.
“Since 2011, the Government has also provided around £1billion in Discretionary Housing Payment funding for local authorities to support vulnerable claimants.”
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