IS20 - A guide to Income Support

About this guide

This is one of several guides that give detailed information about social security benefits. It is intended for members of the public who want to know more about Income Support and for professional and voluntary advisers. Full details of all these guides.

Information about social security benefits in general can be obtained from your Jobcentre Plus office or social security office.

This guide and the law

This is only a guide to Income Support: it has no status in law. It does not cover all the rules in the Income Support scheme for every situation, nor does it provide a full interpretation of the rules. It should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law.

The basis of the law for Income Support is the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 and the Social Security Administration Act 1992. The Acts provide the framework for the detailed rules contained in Regulations made by the Secretary of State and approved by Parliament. Throughout this guide references are given to legislation used to support the guidance.  Further information shows where to get more detailed information about The Acts and Regulations. [Legislation (1)]

Great Britain and the United Kingdom

The information contained in this guide is primarily concerned with the law in Great Britain, that is, England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland is covered by some sections of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 and the Social Security Administration Act 1992 but the rules are different. Information on the Income Support scheme for Northern Ireland can be obtained from Social Security/Jobs & Benefits offices in the province. [Legislation (2)]

In ‘People from abroad’, the term United Kingdom is used. The United Kingdom (UK) covers England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man are not part of the UK.

Child Support Reform

There are a number of references in this guide to child support. The Government is in the process of reforming child support. Although the new scheme will be much simpler, the changeover may be complex. We strongly recommend that if you need information about child support you read leaflet CSL101 Child support: for parents who live apart (available from Post Office® branches and Jobcentre Plus offices or social security offices); contact the Child Support Agency National Helpline on 08457 133 133, textphone 08457 138 924. Lines are open Monday–Friday 8am–8pm, Saturday 8.30am–5pm. Calls are charged at local call rates based on current tariffs from BT landlines. Calls from mobile phones and other networks may differ. Or you can go to the Child Support Agency website on www.csa.gov.uk for further details.

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