Thousands more people claiming Universal Credit will be offered help towards mortgage interest as well as home improvements or repairs.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced the Support for Mortgage Interest loan scheme has been extended to a further 200,000 people on the benefit, in a measure aimed at helping more households with the cost of living. Claimants will be able to access financial help worth up to £200,000, the Daily Record reports.
Support will be automatically offered to qualifying claimants after three months on Universal Credit. Previously, claimants would need to have been unemployed for nine months before they could access a Support for Mortgage Interest loan, which helps them cover interest payments for a mortgage, or a home repairs and improvements loan, while they look for work.
