Incapacity Benefit

What is Incapacity Benefit for Young People?

Incapacity Benefit is available to young people who:

1) have been incapacitated early in life,

2) are unable to work because of illness or disability, and have not paid enough National Insurance contributions to be able to get Incapacity Benefit under the normal rules.

Eligibility?

If you are aged 16 or over but under 20

You may be able to claim Incapacity Benefit under the Incapacity in Youth rules if:

1) aged 16 or over but under 20 and not in full-time education (21 hours or more a week)

2) have been unable to work for at least 196 days in a continuous period. One of these days must be before your 20th birthday.

3) you have a medical certificate for the whole period of incapacity.

If you are aged 20 or over but under 25

You may also be able to claim Incapacity Benefit under ‘Incapacity in Youth’ rules if:

1) you are in full-time education appropriate for people with disabilities ( i.e. Special Needs School) a claim to Incapacity Benefit for Young People can be made but must be referred to the Decision Maker.

2) you are registered on a course full time advanced or secondary education, or on a vocational or work-based training course, which began at least 3 months before your 20th birthday.

3) you have attended one or more such courses in the term immediately after registration and before the 197th day.

4) you have been unable to work for at least 196 days in a continuous period. One of these must be before your 25th birthday.

Aged over 25?

You may also be able to claim Incapacity Benefit under the Incapacity in Youth rules if:

1) you have claimed Incapacity Benefit before
2) you have left Incapacity Benefit to undertake paid work or training
3) you have not paid enough National Insurance contributions to be able to claim under Incapacity Benefit under the normal rules
4) in the last year you have been receiving Disabled Person’s Tax Credit
in the last year you have been getting a disability element of Working Tax Credit or are Paid Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit at higher rate than the family element.

Contact your local Welfare Rights Office……for more details