Change of https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/managed-payments-to-mortgage-lenders-information-for-lenders

Change description : 2026-04-01 00:01:00: Removed reference to Income Support and Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance from the ‘Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) Lender’s handbook’ [Guidance and regulation]

Showing diff : 2025-08-07 16:26:46.175752533 +00:00..2026-03-31 23:06:29.512085930 +00:00

Guidance

Managed payments to mortgage lenders – information for lenders

Guidance for lenders on taking part in the scheme to pay Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) direct to qualifying lenders.

From:
Department for Work and Pensions
Published
25 January 2012
Last updated
111 JulyApril 20252026 — See all updates

Documents

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) Lender’s handbook

HTML

Details

Certain income-related benefits can include help towards mortgage interest payments for homeowners through Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI). We normally make SMI payments direct to the lender.

From April 2018, SMI is paid to customers as a loan, which they will need to repay with interest when they sell or transfer ownership of the home.

We call the process of paying mortgage interest direct to lenders ‘managed payments to mortgage lenders’ (formerly Mortgage Interest Direct).

This guidance explains how lenders take part in the scheme. It includes background information about the legislation.

Information for claimants

See www.gov.uk/support-for-mortgage-interest

Updates to this page

Published 25 January 2012
Last updated 111 JulyApril 20252026 + show all updates

  2. Updated Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) Lender’s handbook to provide more detail to aid lenders and provide helpful information about the SMI scheme and associated processes for making applications.

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Update history

2026-04-01 00:01
Removed reference to Income Support and Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance from the ‘Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) Lender’s handbook’

2025-07-11 16:06
Updated Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) Lender’s handbook to provide more detail to aid lenders and provide helpful information about the SMI scheme and associated processes for making applications.

2023-08-01 15:37
Updated the Benefit Payment Systems Group address.