Income Support

Income Support is for people under the ‘qualifying age’ for Pension Credit with no income or income below a minimum level, called the applicable amount. The applicable amount varies with your circumstances. Premiums are added on the basis of your circumstances and the applicable amount can also include an amount to help with housing costs.

Income Support can be claimed by:

• Those who are not in paid work or those working for less than 16 hours a week (if youhave a partner, they must work less than24 hours a week). Some carers can claim Income Support without limiting the number of hours that they work.
• Carers who provide “regular and substantial care” for someone who is getting Attendance Allowance or the middle or higher rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance can claim. A carer can also claim for up to six months whilst waiting for the person they are looking after to get a decision after making a claim for Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance. A carer can also claim Income Support if the person they are looking after has been awarded Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance but the payments will not start until they have had care needs or mobility problems for the necessary period.