Income Support / Pension Credit

Income Support is for people under the 'qualifying age' for Pension Credit (see below) with no income or income below a minimum level, called the applicable amount. This is set by the government and 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. If you pay rent and/or council tax, see below.

Pension Credit is a means tested benefit paid to a person where they or their partner are of the 'qualifying age'.  For women this is their state pension age (which depends on their date of birth).  For men this is what their state pension age would be if they were a woman. Pension Credit has two elements: Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit. The Guarantee Credit is calculated in a similar way to Income Support but is more generous. The Savings Credit is applicable if you or your partner are aged 65 or over and have a certain level of income and/or savings.

To find out your 'qualifying age' for Pension Credit, go to http://pensions.direct.gov.uk/en/state-pension-age-calculator/home.asp

Who can claim Income Support?

• Those who are not in paid work or those working for less than 16 hours a week (if you have a partner, they must work less than 24 hours a week).  Some carers can claim Income Support without limiting the number of hours that they work. Your income and savings will still be taken into account when working out if you are entitled to Income Support.
• Most people who do not work must look for work to get benefit and claim Jobseeker's Allowance. Some people are not expected to look for work and can claim Income Support instead. 
• 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.  
• Single parents with a child under 10 can claim Income Support.
• People with ill health or a disability may be entitled to Income Support if they made a claim before 27 October 2008 or in certain other situations.  If you need to claim after 27 October 2008, you will need to claim Employment and Support Allowance.
• People with savings over £16,000 cannot get Income Support
• People with savings of £6,000 to £16,000 will get reduced benefit

Who can claim Pension credit?

For details on Pension Credit contact the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234  (or 0800 100 6165 in Northern Ireland)

How to claim

To start a claim for Income Support, call 0800 055 6688. To apply for Pension Credit contact the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234  (or 0800 100 6165 in Northern Ireland)