Help with mortgage interest

Hi there,

I am wondering if anyone has any information on getting help with mortgage payments.

Up until last year I had a good job and I owned a flat but I had a baby and I am now a single Mum. I am unable to work because I would not be able to pay for childcare and the only way I can cope financially for now, while he is so young, is to go on benefits. This is the first time I've done this so I really know nothing about it!

I understand that if I am on income support I can get help with my mortgage interest payments. Is this a given if you are on income support? I would like to help myself a bit by moving us to a cheaper property. I need to do this because I will still struggle plus my lease needs renewing and the only way to do this is to sell because I don't have the money. If I do this while getting help with interest payments (or before as currently still on maternity) will I be told that I can't buy a home and have to use the money to rent? I am worried that I'll have to lose any capital I have gained which will leave me renting until I have no money left and then I'll need to claim housing benefit.

Thanks for any advice,

J :)