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Redundancy support

Mortgage help after redundancy: what's available in the UK

5 min read

Losing your income while you have a mortgage is one of the most stressful parts of redundancy. The single most useful action is to contact your lender early — long before arrears build up.

Reviewed against official guidance · 26 May 2026

Talk to your lender first

Lenders are required to treat customers in difficulty fairly. Options often include a payment holiday, switching to interest-only temporarily, or extending the mortgage term. Asking does not hurt your credit file.

Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)

SMI is a government loan that pays the interest part of your mortgage if you're getting certain benefits including Universal Credit. It's repayable when you sell or transfer the home. There's a 3-month qualifying period before payments start.

Council Tax Reduction

Homeowners can also apply for Council Tax Reduction through their local council — it's separate from your mortgage and from UC.

See what you may be entitled to

The free check gives an indicative view in about five minutes. No login.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

See our methodology for how we use these sources.

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