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If you can't work because of illness or disability you may be able to get Incapacity Benefit. It is paid in three weekly rates depending on how long you’ve been unable to work.
Who is eligible?
You may be able to claim Incapacity Benefit if any of the following apply to you:
your Statutory Sick Pay has ended, or you can't get it
you are self employed or unemployed
you have been getting Statutory Maternity Pay (SMP) and have not gone back to work for your employer because you are incapable of work
you were under State Pension age when you became sick
You must also have been:
paying National Insurance Contributions
unable to work due to sickness or disability for at least four days in a row (including weekends and public holidays)
getting special medical treatment and unable to work for two or more days out of seven consecutive days
or
You must:
be aged between 16 and 20 (or under 25 if you were in education or training at least three months immediately before turning 20), and
have been too ill to work because of sickness or disability for at least 28 weeks, and
have been too ill to work before you turned 20 (or 25 if you were in education or training at least three months immediately before turning 20)
If you’ve been living or working abroad
Living or working abroad can affect your Incapacity Benefit claim. But you may be able to claim if you’ve either:
paid enough UK National Insurance Contributions (NICs) in the past (and the equivalent in certain other countries – ask your local Jobcentre Plus office for details)
worked abroad for an employer based in the UK and paid NICs for the first 52 weeks of that employment
If you haven't paid enough National Insurance contributions
You may be able to claim Incapacity Benefit even if you haven’t paid enough National Insurance contributions if:
you're aged under 20 (or 25 if you were in education or training at least three months immediately before turning 20), and
you've been sick for 28 weeks, and
you're present and resident in Great Britain for 26 weeks in the year before you claim
If you’re in the Armed Forces or you live and work within the European Economic Area (EEA), you may still be treated as being resident in the UK.
How it works
Incapacity Benefit is paid at three weekly rates (check current rates with your local job centre):
short-term (lower) IB ) is paid for the first 28 weeks
short-term (higher) IB is paid from weeks 29 to 52
long-term IB is paid from week 53
You may be able to get extra benefit for your spouse or civil partner or the person who looks after your children.
How it’s paid
Incapacity Benefit is paid into your bank, building society, Post Office or National Savings account (in other words, any account that accepts Direct Payment).
If you’re registered blind or need someone who cares for you to collect your money, your payment can be sent by cheque to be cashed at the Post Office.
Personal Capability Assessment and medical examination
When you make a claim for Incapacity Benefit you will usually have a Personal Capability Assessment. As part of this, a doctor may recommend that you attend a medical examination.
Working while claiming Incapacity Benefit - 'Permitted Work'
If you receive Incapacity Benefit you may be able to do some types of work - within limits. This is called Permitted Work. But if you get Incapacity Benefit and a wage, this could affect income-related benefits you receive, like Income Support, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.
How to claim
Contact your local Jobcentre Plus to claim Incapacity Benefit. You can find the address and phone number of your local office in the local telephone directory or online.
What to do if your circumstances change
It’s important you contact your local Jobcentre Plus office if your circumstances change - for example if
you go into or come out of hospital
you enter or leave a care home
your spouse or civil partner goes into hospital (if you get extra money for them)
you go abroad temporarily or permanently (you may be entitled to some form of incapacity benefit overseas)
For more information, you can contact your local Jobcentre Plus office.
Change of circumstances: letting HM Revenue & Customs know (general money, tax and benefits section)
How to appeal
If you’re refused Incapacity Benefit or if you have questions about your payment, you can ask the office that dealt with your claim to look again at their decision. If you’re still unhappy with the outcome, you can appeal.
Tax credits and other support from government
Tax credits are money you receive regularly from the government to help with everyday costs. You can apply for Working Tax Credit if you're in work but on low pay. If you're responsible for at least one child who normally lives with you, you may be eligible for Child Tax Credit.
For general advice about how to claim social security benefits, you can call the Benefit Enquiry Line:
Telephone: 0800 882 200
Textphone: 0800 243 355
Lines are open from 8.30 am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday and 9.00 am to 1.00 pm on Saturdays.
