Income Support

Income Support

Income Support is an income-related means-tested benefit in the United Kingdom for people who are on a low income. Claimants of Income Support may be entitled to certain other benefits, for example, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and help with health costs. A person with savings over £16,000 cannot get Income Support and savings over £6,000 affect how much Income Support can be received. The claimant must be between 16-59, inclusive, must work less than 16 hours a week, and must have a reason why they are not actively seeking work (on grounds of illness, disability, caring for children, or someone who is ill).

Studying

If the claimant is at school or in higher education they may be able to get Income Support if they are:
* Looking after their own child
* An orphan and nobody is looking after them
* Unlikely to be able to get a job because of a severe disability.

:

* Not living with their parents or being supported by them
* Not in touch with their parents
* Separated from their parents for reasons that cannot be avoided and nobody is looking after you in their place.

If the claimant is aged 18 to 24 and is attending an unwaged Work Based Learning Programme (England) or Skillseekers (Scotland) course, they may be able to get Income Support.

If the claimant is aged 16 or 17 they may only get Income Support if they fall into one of the categories of persons who can get Income Support whilst studying.

Sickness

Claimants may be entitled to Income Support if they are unable to work due to sickness and have no or reduced entitlement to Incapacity Benefit. Normally a claim for both benefits is made and the amount of Incapacity Benefit due is calculated according to the claimant's past National Insurance Contributions. If too few contributions have been made for the full rates of Incapacity Benefit to be paid then Income Support may be paid to top-up the amount the claimant receives to Income Support rates.

From October 27th 2008, Employment and Support Allowance will replace Income Support claimed on grounds of sickness or disability.

All existing claims for Income Support will not be affected. New applicants for Income Support will be transferred to the new ESA.

Amount

The rates for couples can be found via the external link below.

Mortgages

For home-owners with a mortgage Income Support can, depending on various qualifying conditions, help pay towards mortgage interest costs. For recent mortgages there can be a 40 week waiting period.

The effect of Working Tax Credit on Income Support

Working Tax Credit is only available for people working full time - If you are working full time you are not eligible for Income Support as your earnings will be over the Income support threshold

Working Tax Credit,WTC, is taken into account when Income Support is calculated. It is important for claimants to report changes of circumstances to Working Tax Credits, HM Revenue and Customs, before making a claim for Income Support, this will prevent possible over-payments of WTC.

Over 60

Customers reaching the age of 60, or with an older partner who is 60 before them, can apply for Pension Credit, to replace their Income Support payments. They should contact The Pension Service from four months before their or their partners 60th birthday.

Appeal

A refusal to grant Income Support may be appealed to the Social Security Appeal Tribunal.

See also

* Supplemental Security Income, a similar programme offered by the United States Social Security Administration

External links

* [http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Incomesupport/index.html Jobcentre Plus - Income Support]


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • income support — noun In Britain, a social security payment made to people on low incomes • • • Main Entry: ↑income * * * income support UK US noun [uncountable] british in the UK, money that the government pays to people who have a very low income or no income… …   Useful english dictionary

  • income support — ► NOUN ▪ (in the UK and Canada) payment made by the state to people on a low income …   English terms dictionary

  • income support — N UNCOUNT In Britain, income support is money that the government gives regularly to people with no income or very low incomes. People on income support do not have to pay council tax …   English dictionary

  • income support —    British    money paid by the state to poorer people    One of a sequence of phrases meant to mask any suggestion of charity in such payments:     ... she was only £10 a week better off than when she was on income support (as national… …   How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms

  • income support — income sup.port n [U] money that is given by the government in Britain to people who have no income or a very low income …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • income support — an income related benefit payable to those whose income does not exceed a specified minimum. It replaced supplementary benefit in 1988 …   Medical dictionary

  • income support — an income related benefit payable to those whose income does not exceed a specified minimum. It replaced supplementary benefit in 1988 …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • income support — UK / US noun [uncountable] British in the UK, money that the government pays to people who have a very low income or no income at all …   English dictionary

  • income support — assurance of income, assurance of minimum wage for a worker …   English contemporary dictionary

  • income support — noun (in the UK and Canada) payment made by the state to people on a low income …   English new terms dictionary

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