To qualify for Income Support you must be all of the following:

• between 16 and Pension Credit qualifying age.
• pregnant, or a carer, or a lone parent with a child under 5 or, in some cases, unable to work because you’re sick or disabled.
• you have no income or a low income (your partner’s income and savings will be taken into account).
• working less than 16 hours a week (and your partner works less than 24 hours a week).
• living in England, Scotland or Wales – there are different rules for Northern Ireland.

The actual amount you get will depend on your circumstances.

If you have children and are able to claim Income Support you can also claim Child Tax Credit.

Use a benefits calculator to work out what money you can get if you’re on a low income.

You will need a bank account and payments are usually made every 2 weeks,

You don’t need a permanent address, eg you can still claim if you sleep rough or live in a hostel or care home.

You might still qualify if you do unpaid voluntary work or go on parental or paternity leave.

When you won’t qualify

You won’t usually qualify if you:

• have savings above £16,000.
• need permission to enter the UK.
• get Jobseeker’s Allowance or Employment and Support Allowance.
• are a young person being looked after by a local authority.

As a single parent, you will have a compulsory interview with a personal adviser at the Job Centre as a condition of entitlement.

For further information contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or your local Jobcentre. The quickest way to claim Income Support is to Apply by Phone.