This benefit is paid if you are unable to work, not entitled to statutory sick pay or your statutory sick pay has come to an end. In order to receive incapacity benefit you must have paid national insurance contribution and been unable to work because of sickness or disability for at least 4 days in a row.
Incapacity benefit is paid at 3 different rates.
- Short-term, lower rate if you are not entitled to statutory sick pay.
- Short-term, higher rate if you have been sick for more than 28 weeks and less than 52 weeks
- Long-term if you have been sick for more than 52 weeks.
Although only a guide, the following incapacity benefit rates currently apply (April 2006)
| Short-term lower rate | 63.75 |
| Short-term higher rate | 75.40 |
| Long-term basic rate | 84.50 |
If you get the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance or you are terminally ill, you will get Incapacity Benefit paid at the long-term rate after you have been sick for 28 weeks.
If you get the long-term rate of Incapacity Benefit you may qualify for extra money depending on your age when you became sick.
If you have children you may be entitled to extra money through Child Tax Credit. This extra money can only be paid with short-term Incapacity Benefit at the higher rate or with long-term Incapacity Benefit.
If your husband or wife is aged 60 or over, or another adult cares for your children, you may be able to get extra money.
