If you're a single parent and not working...

Income Support is a weekly benefit that tops up any other income you have to a set amount which is considered enough for you and your child or children to live on:

• You must be unemployed or working less than 16 hours a week
• You do not have to 'sign on' as available for work
• You can continue getting Income Support until your child is 16 (or 19 in some cases)
• You cannot get it if you have savings of £8,000 (this does not include the value of your home)
• If you have savings of £3,000 or more, £1 will be deducted from your weekly benefit for every £250 over £3,000 that you have

Income Support is paid weekly either directly into your bank account, or by giro, or by a book of orders you can cash at the Post Office. Once you are getting Income Support you may be entitled to other benefits such as the £200 Sure Start maternity grant (£300 if your baby is due on or after 3/12/00), free milk and vitamins, and help with hospital fares. (see last page) - Link to another page?

Once you have your baby, the amount of Income Support that you can claim will go up, so you should let the Benefits Agency know your baby's date of birth as soon as possible.

How much Income Support will I get?
How much you get depends on your age and the size of your family and what other money you have coming in. If you have no other money coming in you will get the maximum amount.

• If you are aged 18-24 (and this is your first baby), Income Support will top up your income to £41.35 per week while you are pregnant and £93.05 per week when your baby is born
• If you are 25 or over (and this is your first baby), Income Support will top up your income to £ 52.20 per week while you are pregnant and £ 93.05 per week when your baby is born