Benefits

Incapacity Benefit

Please bear with us as this section is currently being updated to take into account changes to the benefit system that came into effect on 27 October 2008. Incapacity Benefit has now been replaced by the new Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Details will be available shortly.

Basic Conditions

you are below pension age
you are assessed as 'incapable of work'
you are 'incapable of work' for at least 4 days
you have paid enough National Insurance Contributions
you are not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay
you are not more than five years above pension age

If you have not paid enough National Insurance Contributions but become 'incapable of work' before you are 20 years old then you can qualify also.

To get a claim form you will need to telephone the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) Call Centre on telephone 0845 602 0175. This call centre is available for people living in the East Midlands.

For more information about Incapacity Benefit you can visit the Jobcentre Plus web site which has useful information.

Leaflets on Incapacity Benefit

Incapacity Benefit (Part 1)

Aims to explain what Incapacity Benefit is, who can claim, rates of allowance and the medical examination.

Incapacity Benefit (part 2)

Appendices to the main Incapacity Benefit leaflet.