Thanks for your replies. It's as clear as mud isn't it! Why would they see it as me depriving myself of income to keep on receiving benefits? That seems crazy. Because it's not my money to use as I please, it's been specifically offered to pay off the mortgage. It's been offered because I've been so worried about losing my house. I can just about survive on the benefits I currently receive, but the balance of the mortgage payments are being met by my savings, which will only last maybe another year. I'm panicking about what I'll do then. My house is small, at the bottom of the housing market, therefore downsizing isn't an option. My friend has seen how ill it's making me and saw this as a way of helping me out. Why is it so difficult?! I guess I'll have to get some specific answers before I do it. Just another thought...... If I ask the DWP the question, their answer is not favourable, and I therefore cannot accept the gift......might that not be seen as me deliberately depriving myself of income to keep on receiving benefits?????? What a mess!

Thanks for your reply. What you say seems to be the general opinion....BUT the problem is.......do I ring them up and ask the question before I accept it? It does seem daft, because I would actually be saving them paying me the mortgage interest relief if i have no mortgage! So you'd think they'd be very happy to let me get it paid off wouldn't you? If they decide to view it as income and tell me my benefit would be stopped, I'd just have to say no to my friend, and carry on using the last of my savings to pay it , then when that runs out, I've no idea what I'd do! It's a bit of a dilemma. Has anybody else out there had experience of this sort of situation?

I can't seem to get a definitive answer on this one! I currently receive Income Related ESA, Mortgage Interest Relief and Council Tax Benefit. I own my own house, live alone, have no other income. It is getting very difficult to keep up my mortgage payments (my small amount of savings is rapidly running out!) and a close friend has offered to pay it off as it only has a few years to run. This would be a one-off gift. Obviously I am touched and delighted by this gesture but am now worried as to how it will be looked upon by the DWP! When I inform them that I no longer need Mortgage interest Relief, will they want to know why? Can they penalise me in any way for receiving this gift? Can anyone help? Thanks