SMI - Am I Entitled?

EmLoFo82

I have been claiming universal credit for over 3 years now, I work 16 hours a week and have a shared ownership mortgage. I am currently in a situation where my mortgage payment has increased and financially I am struggling. I have always managed to pay my mortgage myself but am now requesting help through SMI. However I have been informed by universal credit that I do not qualify for SMI, even though I now meet all the eligibility criteria, as I have been claiming prior to the new regulations bought in as of April 2023. Is there anyone that knows if this is correct or not and advise me if my next step? Thanks 

sammyjammy

Do you receive help with the rent payments?

sheramber

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/support-for-mortgage-interest-smi/support-for-mortgage-interest-smi/apply-for-smi/#:~:text=Support for mortgage interest (SMI) is a loan from the,in a shared ownership scheme.

scroll down to 

If you disagree with the DWP’s decision

EmLoFo82

Yes I do get help with my rent 

The thing is, I haven’t even applied and been declined, they have said that I’m not entitled to even apply. Can I still appeal if there has been no official application and refusal? They won’t even send me an application form. 

sammyjammy

Did you ask in your journal?   If not do this and ask for a formal response to your application/reason why.

EmLoFo82

I’ve had various comments in my journal relating to my request but no formal decline with reason. I will do as you have said, will I then be able to take it further? As on the phone I was told that I would need to go to my MP if I disagree with their reasons 

sammyjammy

You need to know why they are saying this before you know what next steps to take, I can't find anything that says what the requirements are other than the three month period of claiming UC, it doesn't appear to be an issue related to shared ownership.  Its all well and good saying go to your MP if you don't agree with their reasons but they don't appear to have actually given you any.

EmLoFo82

The way my case manager explained it was that to qualify, you need to be a new claimant. She said, even though I meet the criteria now, I’m not eligible as I have been claiming since before the new regulations have come in to force. Which I feel is completely unfair and can not find anything on the government website to support her explanation. I just don’t know who to go to for support & further information. 

I have messaged on my journal again, as you advised, I’m waiting to hear back. Thank you for responding to me. 

sammyjammy

So are they saying you can't get SMI now as you never asked for it before? or are they saying you come under the old rules?  Under the old rules you had to be claiming for 9 months so you still meet that criteria if you've been claiming for three years?  I guess the advice stands.

EmLoFo82

They are saying I come under the old rules, and as I work, I am not eligible to apply. But I don’t understand the point of the rules changing if the old rules apply to current claims. She just said that that is the way it is. I was wondering if anyone new any different 

MovingForwards

Have you done an entitled to check as it will say how much SMI you may receive.

Also, you can call UC to discuss it with them, which may be more useful than going through your journal
https://www.gov.uk/support-for-mortgage-interest/how-to-apply