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, 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. It was paid weekly by the
DHSS, through
giro cheques and
order books, or fortnightly by the Unemployment Benefit Office by giro and cashed at local
post offices.