Incapacity Benefit is no longer available to new claimants.

Incapacity Benefit was payable at three different rates to people who are sick or disabled and cannot work, and are not entitled to Statutory Sick Pay. The rate you receive goes up after certain periods of time. Incapacity Benefit is only paid if you have made enough National Insurance contributions in certain years prior to your claim. 

You cannot claim Incapacity Benefit once you have reached state pension age. If you have been receiving it and then start to get your Retirement Pension, they cannot both be paid at the same time so you will only get whichever is higher.

 

 

For more information about this you can contact a local advice service.

 

If you are under state pension age and meet the criteria for Incapacity Benefit, you can get an application form from your local Social Security Office. You will need to show that you cannot work by completing an assessment based on your current job, if you have one, or your personal capabilities.

 

For more information about Incapacity Benefit you should contact the Social Security Agency or speak to a professional adviser.