Proving eligibility for ISMI on Housing Benefit grounds

Before someone can qualify for help they must prove that:

they qualify for or are receiving Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance or Pension Credit (Guarantee credit)
they or someone in their household is liable to pay the housing costs
the housing costs are for the home in which they normally live
the claimant was in rented accommodation and receiving Housing Benefit immediately before buying their home

Someone will count as liable to pay housing costs if:

They, or their partner is liable to pay them; i.e. the mortgage is in their name. They do not have to be legally liable. However they do not count as liable to pay costs if they pay these to someone who is a member of their household. In other words they cannot claim housing costs that they then pay to a relative who lives with them
They are treated as if they were liable for the costs e.g. if they share the costs with other members of their household
Someone else is liable to pay them but is not paying them; so the person claiming has to meet the cost themselves in order to continue living in your home. They must show that it is reasonable for them to pay instead of the person who is liable. An example is where someone has separated a partner who is no longer living in the home

The claimant will be required to submit evidence to the benefits provider of their Housing Benefit claim.