Income Support is a benefit you can get if you have a low income, or no income, and are aged at least 16, but under 60. It can be paid to top up your money or as your main income. You can also get Income Support to help with mortgage interest costs.
If you can claim Income Support, it means that you do not need to sign on as unemployed and available for work. There are extra rules if you are aged 16 or 17 - read Benefits for 16 and 17 year olds for details.
If you or your partner are aged 60 or over, you may be able to get Pension Credit.
Who can get Income Support?
You might be able to get Income Support if:
- You are 16 or over and under 60
- You do not work for 16 or more hours a week
- If you have a partner, he or she does not work for 24 or more hours a week
- You have a low income, savings and capital
- You are habitually resident in the UK, or the Republic of Ireland, Isle of Man or the Channel Islands (get advice about this)
If you have come to the UK from abroad and have a restricted immigration status, you may not be entitled - get advice.
Income Support is only available if you are not able to work full-time because, for example:
- You are sick
- You are physically or mentally ill
- You are a single parent
- You are a carer
- You are pregnant and there are 11 weeks or less before the week your baby is due.
Follow the links below for full details of who can qualify.
Some facts about Income Support
You may be required to attend a work-focused interview to talk about work options. These interviews can be delayed if there are good reasons.
The amount of Income Support you get depends on your family situation, your savings and other income, and when you claim.
You can read details about how Child Support Maintenance affects Income Support.
The rules for families with children are changing. If you newly claim Income Support after 5 April 2004, you will be paid at adult only rates of Income Support. You can separately claim Child Tax Credit and Child Benefit.
If you were already getting Income Support from before 6 April 2004 and it included an increase for a child, this can continue. Your benefit is due to change to adult only rates of income Support, with a transfer onto Child Tax Credit for your child or children. This change is due between Summer 2005 and April 2006. It may be better for you to transfer earlier to Child Tax Credit - for example, if you receive maintenance or have student income. Get advice.
You need to provide evidence of your identity to support your claim. You also need to provide your national insurance number or information to trace your national insurance number, or you need to apply for one.
You might have to wait a couple of weeks between claiming Income Support and getting paid it. This could mean that you do not have money to live off in the meantime. If you are in this situation, you might be able to get a Crisis Loan from the Social Fund.
If you get Income Support, you may be entitled to the maximum help with rent and Council Tax, through Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit. You can also apply to the Social Fund and for health benefits.
How do I claim Income Support?
You need to fill in a form called an "A1". You can get this from your local Jobcentre Plus office (external website) by calling in person or by phoning.
You may also be able to download a claim form or claim Income Support online (external site) by following the links in Jobcentre Plus website. Note: remember to phone Jobcentre Plus first to establish the date of your claim.
If you are claiming Income Support because you cannot work due to ill health, you will usually have to fill in a form called a "SC1" as well as the A1 form. You can get this from your local Jobcentre Plus office.
If you are claiming for help with your mortgage interest you may have to fill in an additional form.
Need more help? Live in Manchester? Send us an email or book an appointment with the Online Adviser
Information on other websites
Jobcentre Plus
Government information on Income Support.
Citizen's Advice
Information on Help for people on a low income - Income Support
Need more help? Live in Manchester? Send us an email
Information Provider:
Manchester Advice
This information is for guidance only and is not an authoritative statement on the law. Please read our Terms and Conditions.
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