Help with rent or mortgage payments
Help with rental payments
If you are on a low income, you may be entitled to housing benefit or Universal Credit. You can check which benefits you might be eligible for on:
If you are already claiming housing benefits, but this does not cover your full rent, you may be able to get short-term help. You could apply for discretionary housing payments.
Help with mortgage payments
If you are behind on your mortgage payments, do not panic. If you have not already done so, contact your mortgage provider and discuss your situation with them.
If you need help paying the interest on your mortgage, you can apply for a Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loan from the government. You will need to pay this back with interest if you sell or transfer ownership of your home.
MoneyHelper also offers a useful guide on the steps to take if you are struggling with your mortgage repayments.
Your mortgage provider cannot take court action to repossess your home before all other options have been explored with you.
Page last updated: 9 December 2022
