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This is a benefit for people who are unable to work because of illness or disability.
It is paid if:
- you have paid enough National Insurance contributions;
- you cannot get Statutory Sick Pay from your employer.
If you are under 20 (or under 25 if you have been in education), and have been ill for at least 28 weeks, you may be able to get Incapacity Benefit without having paid National Insurance contributions - seek further advice about this.
The benefit is paid at three rates:
- a lower rate for the first 28 weeks that you are too ill to work;
- a higher from week 29 to week 52;
- a maximum rate from week 52 onwards - known as the long-term rate.
Any week that you have received Statutory Sick Pay from your employer counts as a week when you are too ill to work.
You can receive the long-term rate from week 29 if you are terminally ill or you get the highest rate of the care part of Disability Living Allowance.