ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how the nature and use of supplementary resources has changed across the century. Before doing so, it is important to note some general features about the identification and measurement of such resources in income maintenance and poverty research. Contemporary research among low income households has shown that a variety of personal and domestic resources is used to support or extend levels of regular income. These include help from family and friends; sale or exchange of goods, possessions or skills; self provision from craft or land; use of stolen goods; and release of capital from savings or equity. A number of qualitative studies have detailed various personal and domestic resources that are used by households to support a low income. Indeed, there are few studies of low income households that do not make some reference to the use of credit of some kind or to personal loans or repayment arrears.
