Incapacity Benefit

Chronologically the concept of activation policies was first utilized for the unemployed (unemployment insurance benefit), followed by the people on welfare, only to be recently followed (WIA Act) by the people on disability or incapacity benefits. 

The British social security system has since been characterised by a two track system of benefits one contributoiy scheme for the insured and a parallel means tested scheme for those who exhaust or never attain entitlement. Contributory insurance benefits cover the traditional risks of unemployment, sickness, pregnancy, invalidity, industrial injuries (i.e. accidents at work) and occupational disease, old age and death. Currently they include contribution-based Jobseeker s Allowance (JSA), Incapacity Benefit (IB), Maternity Allowance, Industrial Injuries Benefits, and Old Age Pension. Entitlement to each of these benefits depends upon satisfying the relevant tests governing payment of NI contributions. 

Incapacity Benefit A contribution-based cash payment paid to people who are incapable of work who have paid, or been credited with, sufficient NI contributions. It may also be claimed by people who become incapable of work in their youth. An employed person is entitled to at least Statutory Sick Pay for the first 28 weeks of their incapacity for work after which they may claim IB. Incapacity is assessed through an Own Occupation Test and Personal Capability Assessment . There are three levels of cash payment, increasing in value with time on benefit. Generally IB it is not affected by savings or other income. If someone has not paid enough NI contributions to quality for IB they may, if eligible, claim IS and receive a disability premium. 

If you are sick and unable to go to work, you should contact your employer or supervisor as soon as you can on the first day of illness. When you go back to work, if you have been sick for up to seven days, you will have to fill in a self-certification form. After seven days you will need a medical certificate from your doctor and you must send it to work as soon as you can. If you are sick for four days or more your employer must pay you statutory sick pay (SSP), which can be paid for up to 28 weeks. If you are still sick after 28 weeks you can claim incapacity benefit. To claim this you will need a form from your employer or social security office. If you have a sickness problem, talk to your supervisor or someone at work who you trust, or telephone the local social security office. 

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) - The Social Security and Housing Benefit Act 1982 introduced the concept of statutory sick pay payable by the employer for the first eight weeks of absence due to injury or siclmess. From 6 April 1986 the period of payment was extended to 28 weeks. Payment is subject to taxation. While receiving SSP there is no right to claim incapacity benefit. 

Incapacity Benefit (IB) - This is a contributory benefit and is paid when SSP has been exhausted or in drciunstances where SSP is not payable. There are currently three levels of payment ... 

Short Term Incapacity Benefit payable at a lower rate for the first 28 weeks to those who do not qualify for SSP. 

Short Term Incapacity Benefit at the higher taxable rate payable for the period beyond the 28-week period of SSP payment. 

Long Term Incapacity Benefit payable if the incapacity runs beyond 52 weeks. 

Severe Disablement Allowance - Claimants who do not qualify for incapacity benefit because of insufficient National Insmance contributions may be entitled to this allowance if they have been imable to work for 28 weeks provided they are assessed at 80% disabled unless imder 20 when no assessment is necessary. 

Loss of earnings Disability v orking allowance Disability pension Incapacity benefit Income support/unemployment benefit Invalidity pension and allowance Jobseekers allowance Reduced earnings allowance Severe disablement allowance Sickness benefit Statutory sick pay Unemployability supplement... 

However, for those accidents that have not caused major injury but which occasion more than three days incapacity for work, the injured person may enter a claim for industrial injury benefit with the DSS who will send the employer a form Bl 76 Figure 11.2). Normally benefit is paid only in respect of absences of more than three days duration but a claim following an absence of shorter duration may also be entered for an injury which in the long term could attract a degree of disability benefit. 

How are weekly benefits calculated under your legislation What specific benefits apply for permanent incapacity ... 

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