People under the qualifying age for Pension Credit can claim for help through Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based),  Employment and Support Allowance (income-related) or Universal Credit.

If you are under pension age there is a waiting period of 39 weeks before you qualify for help. The calculator shows your entitlement including any help with mortgage payments you are entitled to.

Time limit to claims

If you claimed income-based Jobseekers Allowance between 5 January 2009 and 5 April 2018 there is likely to be a two year limit on the help you get with your housing costs. This time limit does not apply to any other benefits (Income Support, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Universal Credit).

How much of my loan will be met?

There is also a limit on the outstanding mortgage that can be claimed for of £100,000 or £200,000. This varies according to whether you fall under 'new' or 'old' rules. The limit on the outstanding mortgage does not apply if the loan was used to adapt a home or if a house move was necessary to meet the special needs.

Please get more information on housing costs: old rules or new rules?

Any loan taken out to adapt your property for the special needs of a disabled person are ignored when working out if your loan exceeds the cap. The Department of Work and Pensions also has the power to restrict the amount of loan they will meet if they believe that your housing costs are excessive (e.g. that the property is too big for your household’s needs or the area you live in is much more expensive than other areas nearby where there are suitable properties).

Please note that if you used part of your mortgage for other purposes (e.g. to pay off debts) you cannot get help with that part of your loan.

The calculator will let you calculate help with your mortgage up to the amount you enter. However, this does not necessarily mean that you will qualify up to this level. Please check that you are entitled to help with the mortgage amount you enter. If you enter a mortgage amount that is above the limit that applies to you then the amount estimated by the calculator will be too high.