IS20 - A guide to Income Support

Who can get Income Support?

People who are working

Parental leave

You may be able to get Income Support when on unpaid statutory parental leave if, when you were working, you were getting any of the following: [Legislation (21)]

• Working Tax Credit
• Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Benefit.

Paternity leave

You may be able to get Income Support when on statutory paternity leave if you do not get any paternity pay. [Legislation (22)]

If you do get paternity pay, you may still be able to get Income Support, if, when you were working, you were getting any of the following:

• Working Tax Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Council Tax Benefit.

Remunerative work rule

The rule that neither you nor your partner can be in remunerative work and receive Income Support is explained. You will be excluded from claiming Income Support from the first day you take up remunerative work until the day after you finish that work.

If you start work, you may be able to get a Job Grant.  Ask at your local Jobcentre Plus office, Jobcentre or social security office.

If you have been unemployed, a lone parent, a carer, a government trainee, or a combination of any or all of these for at least 6 months, and your Income Support or income-based JSA stops because you or your partner (if you have one) start remunerative work or increase your hours or wages, you may be able to continue to get maximum Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit for an extra 4 weeks after your Income Support or income-based JSA stops. This extra help is called an ‘extended payment’. For more information see this guide and RR2 A guide to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, available from your Jobcentre Plus office or social security office.

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