Incapacity Benefit - Eligibility

Eligibility

An individual could have been eligible for Incapacity Benefit if:

• They were not entitled to statutory sick pay; and
• They satisfied the national insurance contribution test; and
• They were under pension age when the period of incapacity for work begins; and
• They were incapable of work.

It is also possible for Incapacity Benefit claimants to receive a 'top-up' of Income Support payments. These conditions are complicated and advice should be sought from Jobcentre Plus, Citizens Advice Bureau or a Welfare Rights Organisation.

According to the Daily Mail newspaper, approximately 1.3million tests were carried out on applicants for Incapacity Benefit between October 2008 and November 2010. Of these, 88,700 people were found eligible, a further 17% were found to be able to do some form of work with sufficient support, and the vast majority were found ineligible. Over one in three dropped out during the course of the application process.