Income Support

Income Support is a benefit that's paid to top up your money if you have a low income.

Why claim Income Support?

Even if the amount of benefit you get is quite small, it's still worth claiming Income Support because it entitles you to extra help, for example:

help with your housing costs if you have a mortgage
some, if not all, of your rent will be paid, but you'll need to claim a separate benefit called Housing Benefit
you might be able to get a reduction on your council tax; for more information, read about Council Tax Reduction
you may be entitled to financial help, such as free prescriptions and dental treatment, help with hospital fares and free school meals
housing grants

Eligibility for Income Support

To get Income Support, you'll have to:

be over 16 and under Pension Credit qualifying age
be pregnant, a carer, or a lone parent with a child under five or, in some cases, unable to work because you're sick or disabled
have no income or a low income
be working less than 16 hours a week

To qualify for Income Support, you will not be expected to "sign on" as available for work. If you need to claim benefits because you're unable to work due to illness or disability, you must claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

The rules can be quite complicated, so it may be worth speaking to an adviser at your local authority, Citizens Advice or a local carers' centre.

Find out more about Income Support eligibility on GOV.UK.