We operate a zero earnings rule for Universal Credit in Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI). Receiving any earned income during the wait period or during receipt of SMI loan payments will mean that the claimant will not receive loan payments. The zero earnings rule requires claimants to satisfy a waiting period of nine consecutive Universal Credit assessment periods with no earned income before the claimants can receive loan payments. In addition to this we also work closely with UK Finance and Lenders to impress upon them importance of forbearance in the wait periods for SMI support.