STRAIGHT TO THE POINT

I’M HAVING trouble paying my mortgage. I understand there is Government support available — what is this scheme? D. S., Birmingham. THe Support for Mortgage Interest scheme is available to those in receipt of benefits or Pension Credit. Since April 6, it has taken the form of a loan at an interest rate of 1.5 pc. This is repaid when you sell your home or die.

Speak to the agency that administers your benefits. If you are in receipt of Pension Credit, call the Pension Service on 0800 731 7898. Universal Credit claimants should contact 0800 328 5644. Jobseekers should call 0800 169 0310. WE ARE a married, retired couple with no children. We own our home, have some savings and a small pension each. Our wills are up-to-date, but do we need power of attorney, too? O. A., Spixworth, Norfolk. Power of attorney allows you to make decisions on your partner’s behalf should they fall ill — so it has a different purpose to a will.

whether you need one for your finances depends on how complicated your affairs are and if your accounts are held jointly.

If they’re not, and something happens to the account holder, the other would have to apply for deputyship to access the money. I SIGNED up to an online electricity tariff with Scottish Power in October 2016 that was due to expire last November. But it seems I’ve been billed at a higher rate than I signed up for. E. H., Eaton Socon, Cambs. SCoTTISH Power apologises for the problems you’ve experienced. It says a system error meant when your deal expired in november, it backdated your bills at its more expensive standard rate to october 2016.

This resulted in you being overcharged by £75.85.

It has credited your account and offered £40 as a goodwill gesture.