Claim support (8)
I believe the answer is:
maintain
I believe this is a double definition.
'claim' is the first definition.
(to maintain is to continue to claim something)
'support' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)
(Other definitions for maintain that I've seen before include "Preserve or insist" , "Keep in a good state of repair" , "Take the view or keep up repairs" , "Keep up - carry on" , "Keep going" .)