INCOME SUPPORT

What Is It? | Basic qualifying conditions | How much could I get and how am I paid? | How and when should I apply? | What else might I be able to claim?

Claim form	Request one by filling in our online form
Tel :	01624 685084/5 (over pension age) 01624 685094 (under pension age)
E-mail :	income.support@socialsecurity.dhss.gov.im

What Is It?

Income Support (IS) is an income-related benefit for certain categories of people who are not working or who work for less than 16 hours per week and do not have enough money to live on. Income Support is designed primarily to ensure, that people aged 16 or over (and their families) have enough money to meet their basic living costs when their own income fails to do so.

Basic qualifying conditions

To qualify for IS, you must -

be aged 16 years, or over; and
satisfy certain residential qualifications.

The following are the main groups who may qualify for Income Support

people over age 60,
those who cannot work because of sickness or disability,
lone parent (with at least one child under the age of 16),
a student living away from parents, but only in certain circumstances,
a deaf student,
people staying at home to look after someone who is disabled,
women more than 29 weeks pregnant, or who has a child less than 16 weeks old,
a person on parental or paternity leave from their employment and not receiving payment from their employer during that absence.

People required to register as "actively seeking work" (signing on), are not entitled to IS. However, they may claim Jobseeker's Allowance.

How much could I get and how am I paid?

The amount of benefit payable to you, is the amount needed to bring your weekly income up to the level of your needs. The maximum amount which can be awarded is known as the applicable amount.

Payment is made either by weekly or fortnightly cheque which can be cashed at a post office or paid into a bank or building society account or by order which can be cashed at a post office or by direct credit every four weeks into a bank or building society account.

How and when should I apply?

Use the claim form and return it to Income Support Group, First Floor, Markwell House, Market Street, Douglas IM1 2RZ or to any local Social Security office. A claim should be submitted as soon as possible as the backdating of a claim is not normally allowed.

The Department can arrange a "home visit" to assist you to complete the claim form in certain circumstances.

A number of documents may be required when submitting a claim to Income Support -

your birth certificate;
proof of how much rent, rates, mortgage interest, service charges or board and lodging charges are paid by you;
if you have more than £5,000 in savings and investments - proof of the amount is required;
evidence of any other income received by you (this does not include any other social security benefit or maintenance).

If you are unable to produce the required documents a claim should still be made and the necessary papers can be brought or sent in later.

Changes in your circumstances

Your benefit will be worked out from the information you give us. If any of this information changes, you must tell the Income Support Group before cashing anymore cheques or orders. If you think there is something we might need to know, but are unsure, tell us anyway.