Income Support is for people who do not have to sign on for work, such as carers, lone
parents, or people with a serious illness or disability. If you are unemployed and need to sign on for work, you can claim Jobseeker's Allowance instead.
You can claim Income Support if your savings and capital are worth £16,000 or less.
You cannot usually get Income Support if you work more than 16 hours a week (or if your partner works more than 24 hours a week). There are exceptions, for example, if you are off work due to illness.
Income Support can be paid on its own if you have no other income, or it can top up any income you already have. For example, even if you are claiming Incapacity Benefit, you may still be entitled to some Income Support as well.
If you receive Income Support, the amount will not be reduced if you or your partner claim Disability Living Allowance or Attendance Allowance - in fact, you may become eligible for more.
Many factors will be taken into account when you claim Income Support, such as your :
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income
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age
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housing costs
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health
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savings and investments
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number of hours you work
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number of people in your household
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personal circumstances, such as being a carer or lone parent.
Income Support is made up of:
Personal allowances
These are payments for living expenses for you and your partner. If you have dependent children you should claim Child Tax Credit as well.
Premiums
This is an extra amount that is paid because of special circumstances, for example, if you are a carer, or have a disability.
Housing costs
This helps with Council Tax (Council Tax Benefit), rent and/or rates (Housing Benefit) or mortgage interest payments (link here to Income Support for housing costs). Income Support also acts as a 'passport' to other benefits, such as free school meals (link here to help with childrens expenses), free prescriptions, and certain payments from the Social Fund.
How can I claim?
Contact your local Jobcentre Plus (Jobs and Benefits office in Northern Ireland) or social security office for a claim form. Alternatively see www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk (www.dsdni.gov.uk in Northern Ireland)