What is Income Support and who can get it?

By Editorial team · Updated 18 September 2026 · Applies to England

In short

Income Support is a type of financial help for people on a low income. Income Support eligibility depends on your personal circumstances, your household money, and whether you fit specific rules for carers or parents. Check GOV.UK to see the current criteria and if you qualify.

What Income Support is

This applies to England. Income Support is a form of financial help designed to assist people who have a low income or need support with their living costs. Many older benefits are being replaced by newer systems like Universal Credit, which you can read about on Universal Credit. Understanding Income Support eligibility helps you figure out if this specific payment or an alternative scheme is right for you. You can check GOV.UK for full details on how these payments work.

Who qualifies for Income Support

To qualify for financial support like this, you generally need to meet specific criteria regarding your work status and household situation. You might be out of work, working part-time, or unable to work due to health reasons.

Living in the UK and meeting residency rules
Being within specific age brackets set by the DWP
Not having too much money saved up in capital

Income and capital limits for Income Support eligibility

Your household money, savings, and investments play a big role in whether you can get financial help. There are strict limits on how much capital you are allowed to have. If your savings go over the set threshold, your payments may stop or you may not be able to claim at all. Because these limits change, you should check GOV.UK for the exact figures. You can also use a benefits calculator to see how your take-home pay or savings affect your chances.

How Income Support rules apply to carers and lone parents

Special rules often apply if you have caring responsibilities or are bringing up children on your own. If you look after someone who has a disability, you may have different work requirements. Similarly, lone parents usually follow distinct guidelines depending on the age of their youngest child. You must report any changes in your household to the DWP. If you care for someone full-time, you might also want to look into Help if you care for someone or check other options like Carer's Allowance for extra support.

How to claim Income Support

Check your eligibility using an online tool or guidance on GOV.UK.
Gather your personal details, including information about your income and savings.
Submit your application through the official GOV.UK channels or contact the DWP for guidance.
Report any updates to your circumstances promptly to keep your claim accurate.

Common questions

Can I still claim Income Support?

Most people now apply for Universal Credit instead, but certain older benefits still exist for specific groups. Check GOV.UK to see what is currently open to new claimants.

How do my savings affect my claim?

Having money, savings, or investments above the set limit will usually stop you from qualifying for income-related benefits. Check GOV.UK for the exact capital limits.

Where can I check my overall benefit entitlement?

You can use an online benefits calculator to find out what financial support you might be able to get based on your household income.

Who wrote this: Our editorial team, with AI assistance, from the official pages listed on this page. It was checked automatically for unsupported figures and copied text, but it has not yet been read by a person. If something looks wrong, please tell us.
Not advice: This is general information for England. What you can get depends on your circumstances — check with the organisation that runs the scheme before you act.