How to claim
No separate claim is needed. The claimant's earnings factor is obtained from the Department's records.
Further information: Leaflet NI155A.
Family income supplement
Family income supplement is paid to families with low incomes who are in full-time work.
The conditions
Anyone, including single people (but the man in the case of a couple) can claim if:
they are in full-time work and normally so (ie 30 or more hours a week in employment or self-employment); and
they have at least one dependant child; and
their earnings are less than a prescribed amount (£43.80 for a family with one child plus £4 for each additional child).
Children normally living with the claimant can be included if they are under 16. If still at school they can be 16 or over.
Amount payable
The amount of the supplement is one half of the difference between a family's normal gross income and the appropriate prescribed amount. Wife's earnings and other sources of income (but not child benefit or children's income) are included in the gross income.
The maximum supplement is £9.50 a week for families with one child, increasing by £1 for each additional child in the family. The minimum supplement is 20p a week.
An award is usually made for a period of 52 weeks and the rate of payment is not affected by any change of circumstances, whether favourable or not. Family income supplement is not taxable.
How to claim
Leaflet FIS1, which includes a claim form, is available from post offices and local social security offices.
The completed claim form should be returned to DHSS, Family Income Supplements, Poulton-le-Fylde, Blackpool FY6 8NW.
Claim forms should be accompanied by the following:
if weekly paid, pay slips for the 5 weeks immediately before the date of claim; or
if monthly paid, pay slips for the 2 months immediately before the day of claim; or
if self-employed, latest profit and loss account.
Claims should not be delayed if pay slips or accounts are not available as claims cannot normally be backdated.
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