Taking industrial action

If you are on strike, you are normally not entitled to Income Support (IS). However, if you have dependents, you may be able to claim a restricted benefit on their behalf and may get help with housing costs. But any IS to which your family is entitled will have £40.50 assumed strike pay deducted, whether or not you are receiving this. If you are receiving strike pay of more than £40.50 a week, any excess is counted as income and is deducted from the payment.

For the first 15 days after you have been on strike, you may be able to get Income Support if you do not receive sufficient wages or any advance of wages from your employer. Any Income Support that is paid to you for these days will be deducted from your wages by your employer and returned to Jobcentre Plus.