This content applies to Scotland only.

Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England

Income support is intended to ensure that no-one's income is below a certain minimum amount. This page explains who is eligible to apply.

Can I apply?

You may be able to claim income support (IS) if:

• you are 16 or over, and
• you are on a low income, and
• you work for less than 16 hours a week.

You must also be:

• a lone parent, or
• sick or disabled, or
• a carer.

You may also be eligible if:

• you're off work because you're ill and your statutory sick pay is less than the amount of income support you'd be entitled to
• you or your partner are on parental leave or paternity leave.
  

You will not be eligible if:

• you have savings over £16,000
• you receive jobseeker's allowance
• your partner works, on average, 24 or more hours a week.

In addition, certain restrictions apply.

• Single people under the age of 25, who are not responsible for any children, may be entitled to less IS than those over 25.
• If you have savings over £6,000 this will usually affect the amount of IS you get.
• If your partner works less than 24 hours a week, their earnings will affect the amount of IS you get.

What if I'm studying?

If you are a full-time student you may be able to get income support if you are:

• a single parent
• sick or disabled
• registered blind

If you are still at school you may be able to get income support if you are:

• not living with your parents or being supported by them
• looking after your own child
• unable to work because of a severe disability.

What if I'm sick or disabled?

In October 2008, income support for sick and disabled people was replaced by employment and support (ESA) allowance for new claimants. You can find out more about ESA at the Direct.gov website.

How can I find out more?

To find out more and download a claim form, visit the Direct.gov website or call the Jobcentre Plus telephone line on 0800 0 55 66 88 or textphone 0800 0 23 48 88 (this is a service for hearing impaired people, and doesn't accept texts).

I don't think income support is for me, what else is there?

• If you are unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week and actively seeking full-time employment, you may be able to claim jobseeker's allowance.
• If you are in full-time paid work, or count as if you were in full-time work, you may be entitled to working tax credit.
• If you are over 60 you may be entitled to pension credit.