13. Income support

Income support (IS) provides basic financial support for some people under pension age (see here) who are not expected to ‘sign on’ as available for work – eg, lone parents with a child under a certain age and people caring for a disabled person. IS is a means-tested benefit, so any income and savings you have may affect how much IS you get or whether you are entitled. You do not have to have paid any national insurance contributions to get IS.

The Department for Work and Pensions is responsible for the administration of IS.

IS is being replaced by universal credit (UC) and you cannot usually make a new claim for IS. Eventually, claimants who are on IS will be transferred to UC.