You may be entitled to some Government benefits to help increase your income. You could speak to your local benefits office or visit Turn 2 Us, a website with a benefits calculator. If you are struggling with other debts and would like some help applying for benefits or if you are not sure what you can claim, please call our helpline. One of our specialist advisors will be able to check what you are entitled to.

If you are not sure what type of mortgage you have you should contact your lender or check your mortgage agreement.

If you have a repayment mortgage, every time you make a payment you pay of some of the capital and the interest. This means that when the mortgage ends you will own your house.

If you have an interest only mortgage, when you make a payment you are only paying the interest and not any of the capital. If you have an interest only mortgage of £100,000 over 20 years, at the end of that 20 years you will still owe £100,000. This is because you will only be paying the interest and not the capital back.