Income Support
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Please note: If you are working age or in a couple where both are working age, you are no longer able to make a new claim for Income Support. In most cases, if you want to make a new claim, you will need to claim Universal Credit instead. You may also need to claim Universal Credit if you experience a change in circumstances. If you are a mixed age couple (one is working age and one is pension age), if you are not receiving Pension Credit and you want to make a new claim, you will need to claim Universal Credit. For further information see our 'mixed age couples' help page. If you tell us you are currently receiving Income Support we will work out how much you should be entitled to. So you can see how moving to Universal Credit could affect your entitlements we will also show what you might be entitled to under Universal Credit on the results page if you are eligible. The information below remains for people who are still claiming Income Support. |
What is it?
Income support is paid to certain people who are not expected to look for work. These include carers and certain lone parents. It is intended to provide for basic living expenses and can be paid on top of other benefits such as carer's allowance. You can also get money to help with mortgage payments.
How much can I get?
The amount of Income Support you can get is made up of three different parts:
- personal allowances
- premiums
- payments to cover certain housing costs
Personal Allowances for April 2024
- Single person aged 16-24 - £71.70
- Single person aged 25 and over - £90.50
- Lone parent aged under 18 - £71.70
- Lone parent aged 18 and over - £90.50
- Couple both aged 18 and over - £142.25
How do I claim?
Income Support is administered by JobCentre Plus. To claim call 0800 055 6688 (8am - 6pm Monday to Friday) Welsh language: 0800 012 1888. A textphone service is available on 0800 023 4888.
For customers in Northern ireland claim details are on the NIdirect website.
Other entitlements if you are awarded Income Support
Getting Income Support may entitle you to other types of benefit:
- free prescriptions and dental treatment
- housing grants
- help from the social fund
- free school meals
- help with hospital fares
Third Party Deductions
When you claim Income Support you can pay for bills and debt directly from your benefit. This is called a Third Party Deduction, to find out more about this see Third Party Deductions.
