Income Support UK Guide (Eligibility, Rates, Universal Credit Migration)

Who Can Still Claim Income Support

Income Support is not available for most new claimants — anyone of working age who needs financial support is directed to Universal Credit. However, you can still claim Income Support if you already receive it and have not yet been migrated to UC. New claims are only accepted in very limited circumstances: if you are a lone parent with a child under 5 (in some areas, but most are directed to UC); if you are a carer (looking after someone on a qualifying disability benefit for 35+ hours/week) and also receiving Carer's Allowance; if you are pregnant within 11 weeks of your expected week of childbirth; if you are registered blind; or if you have a disability or health condition that places you in the limited capability for work category (but most such cases now claim ESA or UC). You must be aged 16 or over and under State Pension age. Your savings must be below £16,000 (or £6,000 for certain premiums). You must live in England, Scotland, or Wales. If you are in any doubt, use a benefits calculator or contact Citizens Advice — in almost all cases, Universal Credit is the correct benefit to claim.

Income Support Rates and Premiums 2026

Income Support pays a basic weekly amount depending on your age and circumstances. The personal allowance rates for 2026 are: single under 25 — £74.70/week; single 25 or over — £94.20/week; lone parent under 18 — £63.95/week; lone parent 18+ — £94.20/week; couple (both under 18) — £94.20/week; couple (one or both 18+) — £147.80/week. Income Support also includes premiums for additional needs: family premium — £17.40/week (if you have a child born before 6 April 2017); disabled child premium — £66.93/week for each disabled child; enhanced disability premium (child) — £27.84/week; severe disability premium (single) — £81.50/week (if you live alone and receive PIP daily living component or Attendance Allowance); enhanced disability premium (single) — £20.95/week (if you receive PIP daily living component); carer premium — £46.30/week (if you receive Carer's Allowance). The pensioner premium may also apply if you are aged 60+ but under State Pension age. These premiums can significantly increase your total Income Support payment. Income Support is paid every 2 weeks in arrears. The rates increase each April in line with the Consumer Prices Index.

How to Claim Income Support

In most cases, new claims for Income Support are not accepted — you will be told to claim Universal Credit instead. If you think you may still qualify for a new Income Support claim (e.g., you are a lone parent with a child under 5 in an area where Income Support is still open), contact the DWP or Jobcentre Plus. The application process requires you to complete an Income Support claim form (available from Jobcentre Plus or online). You need: your National Insurance number, bank details, proof of identity, proof of income (including any benefits you already receive), proof of savings, and evidence of your circumstances (child's birth certificate, Carer's Allowance award letter, medical evidence). If your claim is accepted, you will have an interview at Jobcentre Plus to discuss your circumstances. Your first payment takes approximately 2–4 weeks. Income Support can be backdated for up to 3 months if you had continuous good reason for not claiming earlier. If your circumstances change (you start work, your child reaches a certain age, your health improves), you must report the change to the DWP immediately. Income Support is a passport benefit — it automatically entitles you to NHS cost help (free prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests), Housing Benefit, and Council Tax Reduction. See our Council Tax Reduction guide → for more.

Income Support and Work: Permitted Work Rules

Unlike Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Income Support does not require you to actively seek work — you are in a no-conditionality group because of your caring, parenting, or disability circumstances. However, you can still do permitted work without losing your benefit. Permitted work rules allow you to earn up to £183.50/week (2026 limit) if you have a disability or health condition that limits your work capability. Lone parents can do some part-time work without affecting their claim. If you are a carer, you can earn up to the Carer's Allowance earnings limit (£151/week after deductions) before your Income Support is affected. Any earnings above the permitted limit are deducted pound-for-pound from your Income Support. You must report your earnings to the DWP. If you start working more than 16 hours per week (or your partner does), your Income Support usually stops because you are no longer in the qualifying group. At that point, you may be able to claim Universal Credit or Working Tax Credit (if you still qualify for legacy tax credits). If your Income Support includes a carer premium and you stop caring, the premium ends and your Income Support may reduce. See our ESA guide → for permitted work rules for disabled claimants.

Managed Migration to Universal Credit

Income Support is a legacy benefit that is being phased out through managed migration to Universal Credit. If you currently receive Income Support, the DWP will write to you with a Migration Notice letter asking you to claim UC by a specific deadline (usually 3 months from the date of the letter). If you do not claim UC by the deadline, your Income Support will stop. When you move to UC, the DWP calculates your UC entitlement. If your UC award is lower than your Income Support award, you receive transitional protection — a transitional element that makes up the difference. However, this protection is eroded over time as UC rates increase. Important differences between Income Support and UC: UC is paid monthly (not every 2 weeks); UC has a 5-week wait for the first payment (you can apply for an advance); UC includes a housing costs element (but you must manage this yourself); UC has a taper rate that reduces payments as your earnings increase; and UC applies the Benefit Cap (which may limit total payments). Some premiums on Income Support (like the severe disability premium) may not have a direct equivalent on UC, which can make some people worse off. Use a benefits calculator to compare your current Income Support with UC before your migration deadline. See our Universal Credit guide → for full details.

FAQs

Can I still make a new claim for Income Support?

In most cases, no. Income Support is a legacy benefit closed to new claims. If you need financial support and do not have to work (e.g., lone parent, carer, disabled), you should claim Universal Credit instead. Contact DWP if you believe you have exceptional circumstances.

Does Income Support affect my State Pension?

Income Support does not directly affect your State Pension. However, if you receive Income Support, you may get NI credits that protect your State Pension. Once you reach State Pension age, Income Support stops and you should claim Pension Credit instead.

What is the severe disability premium on Income Support?

The severe disability premium (SDP) is an extra £81.50/week (single) or £162.95/week (couple) paid if you live alone, receive PIP daily living component or Attendance Allowance, and no one receives Carer's Allowance for looking after you. SDP is not replicated on Universal Credit.

Can I claim Income Support if I work part-time?

Yes, you can do permitted work up to £183.50/week (if disabled) or work within the Carer's Allowance earnings limit (if a carer). If you work more than 16 hours/week, your Income Support usually stops and you should claim Universal Credit.

What happens to my Housing Benefit if I move from Income Support to UC?

If you receive Housing Benefit alongside Income Support and migrate to UC, your Housing Benefit will be replaced by the housing costs element of UC. You will receive the housing payment as part of your monthly UC award rather than as a separate benefit.