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Interest-free loans from the government for some people on benefits: how to apply, check if you're eligible

• How they work

  A Budgeting Loan can help pay for: furniture or household items (for…

• Check if you're eligible

  To get a Budgeting Loan you must have been getting one or more of these…

• What you could get

  The lowest amount you can borrow is £100. You could get up to: £348 if…

• Paying back the loan

  A Budgeting Loan is interest free so you only pay back what you borrow.…

• Apply for a Budgeting Loan

  Check you’re eligible before you apply for a Budgeting Loan. You can apply…

• After you apply

  After you apply you’ll be given a decision on your application. You need…

• Other help you can get

  You may be able to get other kinds of support, including: help from your…

How to prioritise and reduce your debts, and where to get free debt advice

• Updated: 21 December 2017

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) helps homeowners on certain benefits pay interest on loans or mortgages - what you'll get, eligibility and how to claim.

• Overview

  You may be able to get help towards interest payments on: the mortgage for…

• What you'll get

  You’ll get help paying the interest on your mortgage or loan. Support for…

• Eligibility

  To be eligible for a Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loan, you must…

• How to apply

  When you apply for a qualifying benefit, you’ll be asked extra questions…

• Repaying your loan

  You’ll need to repay your SMI loan as a lump sum with interest if you sell…

• If your benefits stop

  You can still get financial help with your housing costs if your Income…

When you need permission to remortgage, how your lenders are involved, what documents you’ll need and how to apply.

• Updated: 4 February 2022

You can no longer apply for the Help to Build Equity Loan. Find out what happens after you’ve applied and how to make a complaint.

It is your responsibility to make sure you can access enough money to pay for all your costs and to avoid getting into financial difficulties abroad.

• Updated: 29 July 2024

Guidance and forms for homebuilders, mortgage brokers and lenders, and conveyancers. Help to Buy: Equity Loan has closed to applications.

• Updated: 22 February 2024

You can no longer apply for a Help to Buy: Equity Loan - find out about interest rates and how to manage your Help to Buy: Equity Loan.

Find out about financial support available to veterans and their families.

• Updated: 12 September 2024

How to tax a beneficial loan arrangement for a director or employee.

• Updated: 30 December 2019