Supplementary Benefit was a
means-tested benefit in the United Kingdom, paid to people on low incomes, whether or not they were classed as
unemployed
Unemployment, according to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), is the proportion of people above a specified age (usually 15) not being in paid employment or self-employment but currently available for Work (hu ...
, such as pensioners, the sick and single parents. Introduced in November 1966, it replaced the earlier system of discretionary
National Assistance payments and was intended to 'top up' other benefits, hence its name.
To qualify a claimant had to demonstrate that their
capital was below the limit, £6,000, and that their weekly income was less than their requirements, as calculated in accordance with the benefits regulations.
The Supplementary Benefits Commission was established alongside the
Ministry of Social Security by the
Ministry of Social Security Act 1966 to work to administer the new benefits.
Richard Titmuss was appointed vice-chair of the Commission.
In 1968 the Ministry of Social Security was incorporated into the new
Department of Health and Social Security (DHSS).
The benefit was paid weekly, through
giro cheques and order payment books, or fortnightly by the Unemployment Benefit Office by giro and cashed at local
post office
A post office is a public facility and a retailer that provides mail services, such as accepting letter (message), letters and parcel (package), parcels, providing post office boxes, and selling postage stamps, packaging, and stationery. Post o ...
s.
Supplementary benefit appeal tribunals
Appeals went to supplementary benefit appeal tribunals. In 1984, supplementary benefit appeal tribunals and
National Insurance
National Insurance (NI) is a fundamental component of the welfare state in the United Kingdom. It acts as a form of social security, since payment of NI contributions establishes entitlement to certain state benefits for workers and their famil ...
local tribunals were merged into the
Social Security Appeal Tribunal.
Abolition
The benefit was abolished and replaced by
Income Support on 11 April 1988, as part of a wider overhaul of the benefits system.
References
{{UK benefits
Social security in the United Kingdom