If you are claiming certain benefits, you may be able to get help with your mortgage interest and interest on loans you may have taken out for repairs or improvements.

To qualify for Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) you must be out of work or of pension age. You also usually need to be claiming one of the following:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit

You might still be able to get SMI if you apply for one of the qualifying benefits but can’t get it because your income is too high. You’ll then be treated as getting the benefit you applied for.

To check if you’re eligible for SMI, or ask any questions about claiming it, contact:

• Jobcentre Plus if you get or have applied for Income Support, income-based JSA or income-related ESA
• the Pension Service if you get or have applied for Pension Credit
• the Universal Credit helpline if you get or have applied for Universal Credit