Government support schemes

A number of schemes are available from the Government which may help if you are experiencing payment difficulties.

Please note – if you apply for assistance under any of these options, you should continue to make your regular payments (or any other pre-agreed arrangement you have with us) while your application is being processed. Failure to do so may lead to us taking legal action to repossess your home.

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

You may be entitled to support with your mortgage interest payments if you are experiencing payment difficulties and are either out of work or of pensionable age and in receipt of any of the following benefits:

  • income support
  • income based Jobseekers Allowance
  • income related employment and support allowance
  • pension credit
  • universal credit

You may qualify to get help to pay all or part of the interest on your mortgage payments. You cannot get any money to cover the capital you originally borrowed or any investment that is linked to your mortgage (such as an endowment policy, pension or ISA).

Please note

  1. If you apply for such assistance, you should continue to make your regular payments (or any other pre-agreed arrangement you have with us) while your application is being processed. Failure to do so may lead to us taking legal action to repossess your home
  2. From 6th April 2018 SMI is paid as a loan, which you will need to repay with interest when you sell or transfer ownership of your home
  3. For more information about SMI, visit Direct Gov or call Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688