Income Support changes?

sausageface

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone knew if the proposed change of stopping income support when the youngest child is 5 is coming into effect? I have searched on the net but cannot find anything, the Gov. site still states 7.

Thanks,

SF

DaisyFlower

Budget said 2012 I believe.

Aarons_mummy

I was told by the lone parent advisor that it's October this year but it might be wrong.

swannys123

Yes i was also told october this year

Aarons_mummy

Had a quick google search and according to this link (http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/wr_bench2011) it's December:

December 2011
Lone parents may have to come off Income Support
A reason for getting Income Support is by being a lone parent with a child aged under 7. This is now reduced to 5 years old. So a lone parent who does not have a child under 5 will have to either claim Jobseekers Allowance or find another reason for getting Income Support or claim Employment and Support Allowance or find work.

sausageface

Thanks Aaron's Mummy, I checked out that link and if you go further on it says people will be moved over from April 2012

What is changing and when?

Lone parents have to stop claiming Income Support when their youngest child is:

• 12 (from November 2008) - phase 1
• 10 (from October 2009) - phase 2
• 7 (from October 2010) - phase 3
• 5 (from December 2011 – introduced by the coalition Government)

- these rules apply immediately from those dates for lone parents making a new claim for Income Support.
- the change is phased in for lone parents already getting Income Support on those dates with children near or above those ages. For the last change (5 year old), existing claimants will be transferred from IS to JSA from April 2012.
- Most lone parents are then expected to sign on for Jobseekers Allowance

Aarons_mummy

Ah I see, I never read further on just that small portion of text, good to know though