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Incapacity Benefit
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Incapacity Benefit
What is it?
Incapacity Benefit is a benefit that you can claim for if you are suffering from short or long-term ill health. It is not means tested, but in most cases it will depend on your record of National Insurance contributions.
You are eligible to claim Incapacity Benefit provided that you are aged below 60 for women, and 65 for men, unable to work either through disability or ill health, cannot claim statutory sick pay, and have paid, or been credited with a minimum amount of National Insurance contributions in one of the last two complete tax years.
If you do not meet the National Insurance qualification, then there are certain exceptions for young people (as they may not have had the opportunity to make sufficient contributions), or if you were widowed before April 2001 and you were incapable of work before your spouse died.
How much will I get?
The main idea of Incapacity Benefit is that you move in stages, from one rate of benefit to another, the longer you qualify. The amounts that you could expect to receive are:
For the short-term rate (Paid for the first 28 weeks, providing you continue to qualify)
£59.20 for the claimant under the pension age
£36.60 for an adult dependant
For the short-term higher rate (this rate lasts for a further 24 weeks, after the short-term rate has passed)
£70.05 for the claimant under the pension age
£36.60 for an adult dependant
For the long-term rate (paid after a year of qualifying)
£78.50 for the claimant
£46.95 for the adult dependant
£16.50 as an age addition if under the age of 35
£8.25 as an age addition if aged between 35 and 44
Although this benefit is for people who are considered incapable of work, you are allowed to work under certain conditions without it affecting your entitlement. You can do this for up to 26 weeks providing that you do not earn over £81.00 a week, and you will be expected to be working no more than 16 hours a week.
In addition to this, you can continue to work indefinitely while claiming, providing that you do not earn more than £20.00 a week, but can be as much as £81.00 a week providing that you are in supported work (i.e. work where you are supervised because of your disabilities).
How do I apply?
You will need to complete form SC1 to claim Incapacity Benefit.
Where do I apply?
You can pick up an SC1 form from your local Jobcentre plus office.
Alternatively, you can obtain the form SC1 from the Department of Work and Pensions website by logging on to www.dwp.gov.uk, or by clicking your mouse on the link below.
Please click here to download the Incapacity Benefit claim form (SC1).
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