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Incapacity Benefit

 
You can claim Incapacity Benefit if you are unfit for work and have paid enough National Insurance contributions. You may be employed but not getting Statutory Sick Pay, or self-employed or unemployed.

Employment and Support Allowance replaces Incapacity Benefit for new claimants from October 2008.

Are you a pensioner? Or approaching retirement age? If so you may have different options - take a look at our Incapacity Benefit for pensioners page.

Aged between 16 and 25? Read our Over 16 with special needs page for information on Incapacity Benefit for Young People.

What you get

How much Incapacity Benefit you get depends on:

  • how long you've been sick
  • your age when you became sick
  • whether you support another adult.

The first 28 weeks

The rate is £63.75 a week or £81.10 if you are over pension age.

If you get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), you do not claim Incapacity Benefit at this stage. You usually have to pass an incapacity test and complete a questionnaire to assess your fitness for work. It is a good idea to get advice before filling this in.

From the 28 April 2008, new claimants will also have to attend a series of interviews to discuss work and training opportunities – known as work focused interviews. 

Jobcentre Plus will contact you for your first interview which will take place eight weeks after your claim begins.  Five further monthly interviews will be carried out by Reed in Partnership.

You must participate in the interviews and notify Jobcentre Plus or Reed if you cannot attend. 

Failure to do this may result in your benefit being reduced – please get advice.

If you have agreed to and follow a ‘return to work action plan’ you may be paid a job preparation premium of up to £20 a week for up to 26 weeks.

To claim, ring your local Jobcentre Plus office (follow the link on the right to their website for contact details).

If you are in work but do not get SSP you will need to send your SSP1 form (from your employer) with a medical certificate.

After 28 weeks

If you are still sick after 28 weeks and have passed the incapacity test, you will receive £75.40 a week (or £84.50 if you are a pensioner) for the next 24 weeks. If you were getting SSP or have not yet had the incapacity test you must pass it now to move onto this rate.

To claim: if you are getting SSP your employer should send you an SSP1 form. If you are already getting Incapacity Benefit you get the extra money automatically.

After 52 weeks

If you are still sick after a year, you will move on to long-term Incapacity Benefit and receive £84.50 a week (more if you became ill before the age of 45).

Important: if you get Housing or Council Tax Benefit remember to tell Greenwich Advice & Benefits Service when your Incapacity Benefit increases.

Further information

For more information, you can download the Benefits if you are Sick or Disabled leaflet, or contact the Welfare Rights Service using the number on the right or our online enquiry form.

Or call the Benefit Enquiry Line for people with disabilities, their representatives and carers on 0800 88 22 00. Textphone 0800 24 33 55.

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