A complete guide to income support in the UK: eligibility, rates, and how to apply

Income support is a mode of financial assistance from the government of the United Kingdom for people who don’t have sufficient amount for their subsistence.
It targets unemployed persons or those working few hours or who are unable to look for any work because of their circumstances.
This type of benefit is under the Welfare to Work system in the United Kingdom, and it is designed to guarantee that all the individuals around have a minimum standard of income that will support their needs.
Here, you will learn what income support is, how it works, and how to apply for it.
We’ll also discuss the distinctions between income support and universal credit, offer details about how to contact the local authorities, and explain the current rates.
What is income support?
Income Support is a kind of financial assistance available in the United Kingdom.
The government aids people who cannot be able to afford basic needs.
It is intended for a person who is not employed or employed for less than a recommended number of hours per week, and such a person is not expected to seek employment due to his or her status.
Is income support universal credit?
No, Income Support is not Universal Credit, although Universal Credit is replacing it.
Universal Credit is a newer benefit system that combines several different benefits into one payment.
If you are currently receiving Income Support and experience a change in your circumstances, you may be required to switch to Universal Credit.
How it works
Income Support is a qualified benefit, therefore the amount that one is paid depends on the income, savings, and other Capital One has. Here’s how it works:
Basic payment:
You will receive a basic payment, known as a personal allowance, which is paid every two weeks.
Additional payments:
You might also get extra payments called premiums if you need extra help. For example, if you or your partner is disabled, you could receive a disability premium.
Housing costs:
If you rent your home, you might qualify for Housing Benefit to help pay your rent. If you own your home, you could get additional payments to help with service charges and ground rent.
Impact of income and savings
- Income: Your income including any other source of income such as other jobs will be used in determining your benefit.
- Savings: Suppose you have savings in excess of a specified limit. It puts you in a position where you will be entitled fewer benefits under the Income Support programme.
Reporting changes
- Immediate reporting: It’s also significant to note that you are bound to inform your caseworker/worker of any change in your circumstances, such as a change of income or working hours, or address immediately to avoid any disruption in your benefits.
Payment frequency
- Payment method: Usually, income support payments are made 2 weeks beforehand and are directly paid through a bank, building society, or credit union account.
How much is income support?
Income Support rates vary based on your age, marital status, and other specific circumstances. Here are the detailed rates for the 2024-2025 period:
Personal allowances
Single person:
- Under 25: £71.70 per week
- 25 or over: £90.50 per week
Lone parent:
- Under 18: £71.70 per week
- 18 or over: £90.50 per week
Couples:
- Both under 18: £71.70 per week
- Both under 18 (higher rate): £108.30 per week
- One under 18, one under 25: £71.70 per week
- One under 18, one 25 or over: £90.50 per week
- Both 18 or over: £142.25 per week
Premiums
In addition to the personal allowances, you may be eligible for extra payments known as premiums:
Disability premiums:
- Single: £42.50 per week
- Couple: £60.60 per week
Enhanced disability premium:
- Single person/lone parent: £20.85 per week
- Couple: £29.75 per week
Severe disability premium:
- One qualifies: £81.50 per week
- Two qualify: £163.00 per week
Carer premium:
- £45.60 per week
Pensioner premium (for couples only):
- £190.70 per week
Family or lone parent premium:
- £19.15 per week
Additional payments
- Dependent children: £83.24 per week (for claims made before 4 April 2004 with no child tax credit)
- Disabled child premium: £80.01 per week
- Enhanced disability child premium: £32.20 per week
These rates are subject to change, but as of the 2024-2025 period, these are the applicable amounts.
Am I eligible to claim income support?
To be eligible for Income Support, you must meet certain criteria:
- Age: You have to be 16 years old and the State Pension age.
- Work hours: You must work fewer than 16 hours a week (or your partner must work fewer than 24 hours a week if you have one).
- Income and savings: You must have low income and savings of £16000 or less or below.
- Circumstances: You must be in a category of people who do not have to look for work, such as carers, lone parents with a child under 5, or people who are sick or disabled.
Groups eligible for income support
Here are some groups that might be eligible:
Carers:
If you look after someone who is entitled to such formal carer’s allowance as the daily living component of the personal independence payment or the middle or higher rate care component of the disability living allowance.
Lone parents:
In the event, you are a lone parent with a child below five years of age.
Disabled or sick:
In case of sickness or any disability that makes one incapable of working and earning a living.
To be able to apply for Income Support, you cannot receive or apply for universal credit, income-based jobseeker’s allowance, or income-related employment and support allowance.
How to contact income support
If you need to contact Income Support, here are the steps:
England, wales, and scotland: For more information, you can call Jobcentre Plus on 0800 169 0350, or you can download the claim form from www.gov.uk
Northern ireland: You can call your local Jobs and Benefits Office or you can download the NI Claim form from the NI Direct website.
Reporting changes
That is why you are required to promptly report any change in your status to the appropriate benefits office.
For job center service in England, Wales, and Scotland, please dial 0800 169 0310. In Northern Ireland, inform your Jobs and Benefits Office.
Challenging decisions
If you are not happy with a particular decision about Income Support you can request a mandatory reconsideration.
In case you do not agree with the given decision, you also can appeal if you’re still not satisfied.
Income support rates
The rates for Income Support in the UK are as follows, based on the latest available information:
Here is a summary of the main rates:
Your situation | Weekly payment |
Single - age 16 to 24 | £71.70 |
Single - age 25 or over | £90.50 |
Lone parent - age 16 to 17 | £71.70 |
Lone parent - age 18 or over | £90.50 |
Couples - both under 18 | £71.70 |
Couples - both under 18 getting ‘higher rate’ | £108.30 |
Couples - one under 18, the other 18 to 24 | £71.70 |
Couples - one under 18, the other 25 or over | £90.50 |
Couples - one under 18, one over getting ‘higher rate’ | £142.25 |
Couples - both 18 or over | £142.25 |
Final words
Income Support is an important benefit in the UK that helps individuals who are struggling financially and are not working or working very few hours.
Although it is being replaced by Universal Credit, existing claimants can continue to receive it.
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