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. 

Income Support is being replaced by Universal Credit. If you've received a 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 - Jobcentre Plus

Income Support or Universal Credit?

Income Support is being replaced by Universal Credit. 

If you or your partner are receiving a ' legacy benefit ' such as Child Tax Credit or Housing Benefit, you will lose these if you make a claim for Universal Credit. 

The government began moving people from legacy benefit s onto Universal Credit in May 2022 and aims to finish moving everyone throughout 2024/2025. If you've received a notice letter telling you to claim Universal Credit, read our guide Universal Credit Migration Notice to find out about your next steps. 

Can I get Income Support?

You can still get Income Support if you are on Income Support at present and continue to meet the qualifying conditions, unless you claim Universal Credit.

The qualifying conditions are:

You and your partner (if you have one) must not be in full-time employment (this is 16 or more hours per week for you and 24 or more hours for your partner). You must also fall into at least one of the following categories:

• You are a single parent and your youngest or only child is under five years old 
• You are a lone foster parent fostering a child up to age 16 under an official arrangement
• You are getting Carer's Allowance or Carer Support Payment (Scotland)
• You regularly care for someone who is getting Attendance Allowance, the highest or middle rate care component of Disability Living Allowance, the highest or middle care component of Child Disability Payment, either daily living component of Personal Independence Payment , either daily living component of Adult Disability Payment, or Armed Forces Independence Payment
• You are incapable of work because of pregnancy or have 11 weeks or less before your expected week of childbirth
• You are getting Statutory Sick Pay. 

If you are not able to work due to illness or disability and are not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay, you will have to claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit instead of Income Support.

If you have savings or capital over £16,000, you will not be able to get Income Support.

You can find out whether you can still get Income Support by using our Benefits Calculator or by seeking advice. You can find an advice agency in your area by using our Find-an-Adviser tool. 

It is complicated to work out how much Income Support you might get. Your income from different sources is added up and compared against what the government considers your needs are. Your needs will depend on your family circumstances, for example:

• How old you are
• If you live alone or in a couple
• Whether you or your dependants are disabled
• If you are caring for someone
• If you or your partner have savings over £6,000
• Any earnings you or your partner may have
• If you have a mortgage.

Use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator if you're still getting Income Support to find out how much you may be entitled to as the amount can vary from one person to another.

Benefit Cap

Income Support is included in the Benefit Cap which limits the total amount in some benefits that working-age people can receive. See our Benefit Cap information page for more details.

How will I be paid Income Support?

Income Support will be paid directly into your Bank, Building Society or through the Payment Exception Service if you are unable to open or manage one of these or a similar account.

You can choose to be paid weekly in advance, or every 4 or 13 weeks in arrears.

Income Support and other benefits

Income Support is not taken into account as income when calculating other benefits and tax credits.

If you get Income Support and are eligible for Housing Benefit, you are automatically entitled to get the maximum Housing Benefit for your circumstances.

Cold Weather Payment (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)

If you get Income Support, you may also qualify for a Cold Weather Payment.

You do not need to make a claim as the payment will be made automatically for each qualifying period of cold weather. See our Cold Weather Payment guide for further details.

Winter Heating Payment (Scotland)

If you get Income Support, you may also qualify for a Winter Heating Payment.

You do not need to make a claim if you qualify as the payment will be made automatically. You can find more information about Winter Heating Payment on Scottish Government website.

You cannot make new claims for Income Support.

If you disagree with the decision made on your Income Support claim, for example due to incorrect information being used, you can ask for it to be looked at again, if you still disagree you can appeal.

The time limits are strict, you will usually be given one month to dispute a decision, so it is important to seek advice and act quickly.

Further information on Challenges and complaints