Part VIIIncome-Related Benefits

Income support

124Income support

1

A person in Great Britain is entitled to income support if—

a

he is of or over the age of 18 or, in prescribed circumstances and for a prescribed period, of or over the age of 16 or he is a person to whom section 125(1) below applies;

b

he has no income or his income does not exceed the applicable amount;

c

he is not engaged in remunerative work and, if he is a member of a married or unmarried couple, the other member is not so engaged; and

d

except in such circumstances as may be prescribed—

i

he is available for, and actively seeking, employment;

ii

he is not receiving relevant education.

2

In subsection (1)(a) above “period” includes—

a

a period of a determinate length;

b

a period defined by reference to the happening of a future event; and

c

a period of a determinate length but subject to earlier determination upon the happening of a future event.

3

Circumstances may be prescribed in which a person must not only satisfy the condition specified in subsection (1)(d)(i) above but also be registered in the prescribed manner for employment.

4

Subject to subsection (5) below, where a person is entitled to income support, then—

a

if he has no income, the amount shall be the applicable amount; and

b

if he has income, the amount shall be the difference between his income and the applicable amount.

5

Where a person is entitled to income support for a period to which this subsection applies, the amount payable for that period shall be calculated in such manner as may be prescribed.

6

Subsection (5) above applies—

a

to a period of less than a week which is the whole period for which income support is payable; and

b

to any other period of less than a week for which it is payable.