Buying on benefits

[taperface]

My disabled cousin is on benefits through no no fault of his own. Are there any schemes which would allow his housing benefit to be used to buy his Council house?

[Ethel]

No. Benefits will not pay a mortgage - only interest on a mortgage for a limited amount of time.

[taperface]

Thank you Ethel. The reason he wondered, is because one of his neighbours hasn't worked for the last 18 year's, and this lady lives on Income Support, which I gather is less than my cousin's benefits because of his condition. He would like to buy his house and have something to leave to his son. I wonder if his son would then be able to take over the mortgage when he becomes old enough?

[tboo]

Housing benefit is payable on council tenancies and private rents only, if the tenant was to purchase a council property the housing benefit would cease as a mortgage would be in place