SE76007 - Social Security benefits: entitlement to more than one benefit

Overlapping benefits

Where a person qualifies for more than one benefit the normal rule is that he or she cannot receive the full amount of both benefits.

What is known in Social Security terms as the 'overlapping benefits' rule will apply. This means that the claimant is entitled to receive the largest award. Normally the benefit which was awarded first continues to be paid and only any balance is payable from the second source.

Where a widow is entitled to widowed mother's allowance or widow's pension and some other Social Security benefit, SE76176 gives detailed guidance.

The relationship of jobseeker's allowance and other Social Security benefits is described at SE76220.

Reports to Head Office

Where there is a dispute about how much of any Social Security benefit is taxable, submit the case to Personal Tax (Technical), Solihull before listing an appeal for hearing by the Commissioners. If the dispute involves jobseeker's allowance or income support, see also SE76306.