IS20 - A guide to Income Support

The law that forms the basis of the Income Support scheme is the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, the Social Security Administration Act 1992, and the Social Security Act 1998. The Acts lay down the framework of the legislation. The detailed rules of the scheme, including benefit rates and entitlement, are contained in Regulations made by the Secretary of State and approved by Parliament. You can buy copies of the Acts and all the Regulations through bookshops or direct from the publishers – The Stationery Office (TSO). Many libraries will also hold copies for you to consult.

The Acts and Regulations which set down the rules explained in this guide are included in a series of loose-leaf books, The Law relating to Social Security (also known as the blue volumes), which are published by TSO.

The relevant Acts and Regulations are indexed and kept up to date by regular supplements.

You can consult a copy at your Jobcentre Plus office or social security office and many libraries also have a copy. Copies can also be bought direct from TSO.

The Income Support guide is an administrative guide which sets out procedures for the officials in Jobcentre Plus offices and social security offices to follow when a claim is made. Copies of the Income Support guide can be consulted at Jobcentre Plus offices, social security offices, many advice agencies and public libraries. You can also get a copy from TSO.

The Decision Makers’ Guide
The Decision Makers’ Guide (DMG) gives guidance to decision makers on the interpretation of the law for all benefits. The DMG aims to ensure consistency in decision-making throughout the country. You can consult a copy of the DMG at your Jobcentre Plus office or social security office.

The Social Security Commissioners
The role of the Social Security Commissioners is to decide appeals on a point of law from decisions of Appeals Tribunals. Reported decisions of the Commissioners deal with matters of important legal principles and must be followed by decision makers and Appeals Tribunals. They are published individually by TSO and are periodically gathered together and published as Reported Decisions of the Social Security Commissioner, also by TSO.