Incapacity Benefit

Incapacity benefit is a daily benefit, paid fortnightly, to someone who is incapable of work because of illness or disability. (It replaced sickness benefit and invalidity benefit).

It is a national insurance contributory benefit.  

There are two types of incapacity benefit: short-term and long-term incapacity benefit. They are paid at various rates.

 Short-term incapacity benefit is paid for the first 364 days of a period of incapacity for work.

(Lower rate short-term incapacity benefit is paid for the first 196 days of incapacity. Higher rate short-term incapacity benefit is paid from the 197th to the 364th day of incapacity).

Long-term incapacity benefit is paid from the 365th day of a period of incapacity for work.

(However, if someone is terminally ill or is entitled to the highest rate care component of disability living allowance (DLA), they can receive an amount equal to the rate of long-term incapacity benefit after the first 196 days of incapacity.)

For the first 196 days of incapacity for work, most employed people will receive statutory sick pay (SSP). After 196 days of incapacity for work, you can move on to incapacity benefit.

If you are not eligible for SSP you may be able to claim short-term incapacity benefit if you meet certain qualifying conditions.

Qualifying Conditions apply.

Need more information

Contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau or the Department of Works and Pensions