Income Support - Can I get Income Support?

Income Support or Universal Credit?

Income Support is being replaced by Universal Credit. You won't be able to make a new claim for Income Support, unless you are responsible for three or more children.  You would be referred to claim Universal Credit instead, if you try to make a new claim for Income Support.

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. 

If you are on Income Support and your situation stays the same, you won't have to claim Universal Credit, at present.  The government won't start transferring people over to Universal Credit until July 2019, and aim to complete this process by December 2023.

Can I get Income Support?

You can still get Income Support in the following situations:

• You are on Income Support at present, unless you claim another legacy benefit or Universal Credit, or
• You are responsible for three or more children,

And in addition:

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 (seven in Northern Ireland) 
• You are a lone foster parent fostering a child up to age 16 under an official arrangement
• You are getting Carer's Allowance
• You regularly care for someone who is getting Attendance Allowance, the highest or middle rate care component of Disability Living Allowance, either daily living component of Personal Independence Payment or Armed Forces Independence Payment
• You are incapable of work because of pregnancy or have 11 weeks or less before their 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 income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Universal Credit instead of Income Support.

If you are currently getting Income Support because of illness or disability, you will be reassessed at some point to see if you qualify for Employment and Support Allowance instead. Read more about the ESA reassessment process.

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.   Read more about Universal Credit on our website.

Updated: December 2018