This is an HTML version of an attachment to the Freedom of Information request 'Loans to Support for Mortgage Interest'.


 
 
 
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk 
 
 
Your Reference: FOI 674 
 
Frank Zola  
request-465734-
 
xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx  
Date: 14 March 2018  
 
Dear Mr Zola 
 
Thank you for your FOI request of 19 February. You asked:  
 
“Currently Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) is paid as a benefit. 
"From 6 April 2018 it will be paid as a loan" 
https://www.gov.uk/support-for-mortgage-interest 
 
As of today how many SMI benefit recipients have taken up the loan or made 
a loan application?   
 
57,000 of SMI recipients are pensioners, how many of these pensioners have 
taken up the loan or made a loan application?  
 
Please disclose a copy of the letters/information posted to SMI benefit 
recipients advising them that SMI is becoming a loan and how they can 
apply.” 
 
 
10,179 claimants have stated their intention to take up the offer of an SMI 
loan.  
 
3,655 of these claimants are in receipt of Pension Credit.  
 
Please find attached copies of the information booklet, Frequently Asked 
Questions leaflet and initial letter sent to claimants.  
 
Yours sincerely 
 
 
DWP FOI Central Information Team 

 
 
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Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act 
 
If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailing 
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@xxx.xxx.xxx.xx or by writing to DWP, Central FoI Team, 
Caxton House, Tothill Street, SW1H 9NA. Any review request should be submitted within two 
months of the date of this letter.  
 
If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the 
Information Commissioner’s Office for a decision. Generally the Commissioner cannot make a 
decision unless you have exhausted our own complaints procedure. The Information 
Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner’s Office, Wycliffe House, 
Water Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF www.ico.gov.uk