Income Support - What is Income Support?

It is no longer possible to make a new claim Income Support, it is being replaced by Universal Credit.

Income Support helps people who do not have enough to live on. It is only available for certain groups of people who do not get Jobseeker's Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance and are not in full time employment. 

If you've received a Migration Notice letter telling you to claim Universal Credit, read our guide Universal Credit Migration Notice to find out about your next steps. 

If you qualify for Income Support, the actual amount you get depends on your circumstances.

Income support is a means-tested benefit which means entitlement is based on your income and savings and other capital, which will be looked at to see if they are low enough for you to qualify.

Income Support can be paid on its own if you have no other income or can top up other benefits or part-time earnings to the basic amount the law says you need to live on.

You do not have to have paid national insurance contributions to qualify for Income Support.

You can’t claim Income Support if you are claiming Universal Credit. 

Applies to: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales

Age rules: You must usually be 18 or over but under 66. 

Type of benefit: Means tested

Taxable: No (in most instances)

Administered by: Department for Work and Pensions and Jobcentre Plus