Advice column

When I took out my mortgage two years ago I could manage the payments without any trouble, but now the discount period has come to an end and the payments have shot up I'm really struggling. I may also be in danger of losing my job. Do you have any advice?
Don't panic, but do sit down and take a long, hard look at your finances. Do a budget (looking at all your incomings and outgoings, any savings and any debts) and try to plan ahead, looking at whether you can increase your income and/or cut back on any of your spending. For more information have a look at the Citizens Advice website www.adviceguide.org.uk Do prioritise your mortgage payments but don't be tempted to take on more credit or debt to deal with payment problems. Check whether you have mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) and if so make sure your policy covers your circumstances. If you are thinking of taking out MPPI be careful - it can be costly and poor quality and won't always give you the protection you need. Make sure you shop around and get independent financial advice. If you have already fallen behind with payments, or you do lose your job, let your lender know straight away. They should try and help you through temporary payment difficulties, for example by allowing you to pay interest only for a limited period. For more detailed information see our fact sheet on dealing with mortgage arrears on the Citizens Advice website http://www.adviceguide.org.uk , or talk to a CAB adviser in Southport, Crosby, Formby or Maghull.) Get free, confidential, independent advice from the CAB without delay if you are in arrears and facing court action by your lender.

I have to take time off work to have a foot operation. Am I entitled to sick pay and how much will I get?
You will be eligible for statutory sick pay (SSP) after you are off work for at least four days in a row and you earn more than £90 a week. This is the minimum amount you can be paid you when you are off work sick, but your contract of employment may give you extra rights to more sick pay than this, so check your contract to see what you are entitled to. Most workers qualify for SSP, including part-time workers and workers on a fixed-term contract. Agency workers may also be entitled to SSP but should get advice as the legal situation is complicated. SSP can last for up to 28 weeks, and contractual sick pay may last for longer. Check your employment contract to see if this applies to you. If you cannot get SSP, or if you have been off sick for more than 28 weeks, your employer should give you form SSP1 and tell you why you cannot get SSP. You can use this form to claim incapacity benefit from your local benefit office if you are not entitled to either SSP or contractual sick pay. You will be paid either SSP, or, if your contract of employment gives you more pay when you are off sick, you will be paid what it says in your contract. This might not be your normal rate of pay, but it should not be less than SSP. SSP is paid at a fixed weekly rate of £75.40 if you work full-time, pro-rata for part-timers. If SSP is your only income whilst you are off sick you may be able to claim other benefits such as housing benefit. For more information and advice go to the Citizens Advice website: http://www.adviceguide.org.uk , or contact one of our offices in Southport, Crosby, Formby or Maghull.

We've got planning permission to get a much-needed extension built onto our home, but we've heard so many horror stories about cowboy builders we're worried it could all go horribly wrong. What can we do to avoid this?
It's always a good idea to use a builder who's been personally recommended by someone you know and trust. If you can't get a recommendation, get estimates from at least three builders for the work you want done, and ask for contact details of people they have done work for - talk to previous customers and go and look at the work for yourself if you can. Check the Office of Fair Trading website www.oft.gov.uk or Trading Standards for trustworthy local businesses. Before having a builder start any job for you, get a proper, detailed schedule of work. Be specific about exactly what you want. Ask the builder about the stages the job will involve and get this in writing, with each component part priced. Estimate the time it will take for the work to be done. If it's important to you that it is done by a certain date, agree with the builder on compensation if it's completed late. Agree staged payments, but make sure you are not paying for everything in advance. Stick to what's been agreed. For more information and advice on this and other consumer issues, go to the Citizens Advice website www.adviceguide.org.uk or contact us. Details of our free, totally confidential services can be found on our website at http://www.adviceguide.org.uk