IS20 - A guide to Income Support

Who you can claim for

Polygamous marriages

A polygamous marriage is where a person is married to more than one partner. People in certain polygamous marriages may be able to get Income Support, for example, if the marriage was registered or contracted in a country where it is legal. If you have entered into a polygamous marriage and are living with one or more of your partners, your Income Support personal allowances are calculated in the following way. Your payment will be made up of: [Legislation (60)]

• the personal allowance for couples, for you and your eldest partner
• and the difference between the highest personal allowance for couples and the highest personal allowance for single claimants, for each of your other partners
• and if you have a dependant, the usual personal allowance for a child or young person, and family premium payment
• and any premium payments in respect of you or any of your partners
• and any Income Support housing costs that you are responsible for paying

If you made a claim on or after 06/06/04 you must claim Child Tax Credit to receive a payment for your children.

If members of the polygamous marriage are treated as residents in a care home, as people from abroad, as needing an urgent case payment, or in any other special way, the rules are different. For more information, see ‘Help if you live in a care home’.

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