If your mortgage is becoming a struggle - because of higher rates, a drop in income, or rising costs - acting now, before you fall behind, gives you the most options. There is more support available than most people realise. This guide sets out the help if you are struggling to pay your mortgage in the UK in 2026, and where to start.
Talk to your lender early
You do not have to be in arrears to ask for help. Lenders can offer temporary measures - a period of reduced or interest-only payments, extending the term to lower the monthly amount, or switching the mortgage type. Asking before you miss a payment keeps the most options open and protects your credit file. Lenders are expected to support customers facing difficulty.
Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)
SMI is a government loan that helps with the interest on your mortgage if you receive a qualifying benefit - such as Universal Credit (usually after three months, and now including some in-work claimants since 2023), Pension Credit, income-based JSA or ESA, or Income Support. It is paid as a loan secured on your home and repaid with interest when you sell or transfer it. It will not cover the capital or other costs, but it can ease the pressure.
Breathing Space and debt advice
If your mortgage difficulty sits alongside other debts, the Breathing Space scheme gives up to 60 days of legal protection from creditor action, with most interest and charges frozen, arranged through a free debt adviser. A debt adviser will also look at your whole budget and benefits - people are often entitled to more help than they realise.
If it is more than temporary
If the mortgage is unlikely to become affordable again, it is better to plan ahead than to drift into arrears. The options - from forbearance to, if necessary, selling on your own terms - are best weighed early with a free adviser, while you still have the most control. The full picture for arrears is in mortgage arrears: what to do.
You are not alone
Struggling with a mortgage is common, and asking for help is the responsible, effective thing to do. Free advisers deal with this every day and can often find room you did not know was there.
Frequently asked questions
I am struggling to pay my mortgage - what can I do?
Act early. Ask your lender about temporary measures (reduced payments, a longer term, interest-only for a while), check whether you qualify for Support for Mortgage Interest, and get free debt advice - all before you fall into arrears.
What is Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI)?
A government loan towards the interest on your mortgage if you receive a qualifying benefit such as Universal Credit (usually after three months) or Pension Credit. It is repaid with interest when you sell or transfer your home.
Can I get help before I miss a mortgage payment?
Yes. You do not need to be in arrears to ask your lender for help or to get free debt advice, and asking early keeps the most options open and protects your credit file.
What support is there if I have other debts too?
Breathing Space gives up to 60 days of protection from creditor action via a debt adviser, who will also review your whole budget and benefits to find any help you are entitled to.