(1)A person in Northern Ireland is entitled to income support if—
(a)he is of or over the age of 18 or, in prescribed circumstances and for a prescribed period, of or over the age of 16 or he is a person to whom section 124(1) below applies;
(b)he has no income or his income does not exceed the applicable amount;
(c)he is not engaged in remunerative work and, if he is a member of a married or unmarried couple, the other member is not so engaged; and
(d)except in such circumstances as may be prescribed—
(i)he is available for, and actively seeking, employment;
(ii)he is not receiving relevant education.
(2)In subsection (1)(a) above “period” includes—
(a)a period of a determinate length;
(b)a period defined by reference to the happening of a future event; and
(c)a period of a determinate length but subject to earlier determination upon the happening of a future event.
(3)Circumstances may be prescribed in which a person must not only satisfy the condition specified in subsection (1)(d)(i) above but also be registered in the prescribed manner for employment.
(4)Subject to subsection (5) below, where a person is entitled to income support, then—
(a)if he has no income, the amount shall be the applicable amount; and
(b)if he has income, the amount shall be the difference between his income and the applicable amount.
(5)Where a person is entitled to income support for a period to which this subsection applies, the amount payable for that period shall be calculated in such manner as may be prescribed.
(6)Subsection (5) above applies—
(a)to a period of less than a week which is the whole period for which income support is payable; and
(b)to any other period of less than a week for which it is payable.