Based on DWP phone discussions with 54,000 claimants, 51% of claimants at 21 March have said they will decline the offer of an SMI loan.
One quarter (25%) are undecided. Just under one quarter (24%) indicated that they will accept the loan.
From 6 April 2018, if you are claiming benefits and have housing costs, these will be paid as a Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loan rather than as a benefit.
This applies to new and existing claimants.
The loan will be repaid to the DWP upon the sale of your house, or when you return to work.