Hi Jackie,

You mentioned Atos ... did you receive a form SSP1 from your employer to transfer from SSP to ESA ?[ note even if your company was paying company sick pay , they still might have been claiming the SSP back from the DWP]
Did you fill in ESA forms to claim , and if so .. when ?
It sounds like you have a claim for ESA already up and running .
Do you remember giving the DWP [jobcentre] details of your mortgage company on a form when you claimed ?
If so it sounds like you have also claimed income related ESA .. This means that Housing costs can be included in working out the amount you are entitled to..[applicable amount]

See Support for Mortgage Interest

Most people get Support for mortgage interest[SMI] from week 13 of their claim .The amount received depends on other income[ partner etc] , your savings and capital and your outstanding mortgage balance , as well as which mortgage costs can be included .
For example if you have £90K outstanding of eligible housing costs, you should get 3.63% of that amount [no matter what your lender's interst rate is] which works out at £272 pcm.[ note : there could be non dependent deductions from this if you have any children or adults in the house that you do not get Child Benefit for] This is paid direct to the mortgage lender.

You need to call ESA and ask what is happening and when SMI will kick in.

Also as already stated , check if you are entitled to Council Tax Benefit both now and when your money drops with your local Authority

Have a look also at DLA if you have care or mobility needs.

There are other issues there , such as employment, and possibly negotaiting with your employer , so a trip to an advice agency is recommended .


Have a look at these NRAS publications , they should be of help:

RA and Benefits.

Disability Living Allowance


Hope this helps



Rich C:)

Here Here.

Anne-m xx

Hi Jackie have only just seen your post. Hope you get sorted out soon. I agree thank goodness for Rich.

Bevxx