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<p>Data on the number of claimants who will have less than 2 months’ notice of the
introduction of SMI on 6 April 2018 is not available. A managed information provision
process began in July 2017 to inform all existing recipients of SMI benefit of the
new scheme. The regulations contain provision for all claimants to be given at least
6 weeks from the loan offer to make a decision whether to accept or decline an SMI
loan before their SMI benefit payments cease. This 6 week period may run beyond 6
April 2018.</p>
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