6) Security for those who cannot work

The following benefits are available to those who cannot work. Some can also be claimed by those in work who are on a low income.

Incapacity Benefit

This is paid if your Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) has ended (after 28 weeks), or if you cannot claim SSP. To claim, you need to be under the state pension age when you become sick.

Claim: You are eligible if you have paid National Insurance contributions while you were working and you have been incapable of work because of sickness or disability for at least four days in a row (including weekends and Bank Holidays).

Young people aged over 16 and under 20 (or 25 if you were in education or training up to age 20) can also claim if they become incapable of work, even if they have not paid National Insurance contributions.

Disability Living Allowance

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) is paid if you need help looking after yourself. It is paid at different rates depending on your circumstances: Claim: If you have needed help looking after yourself for three months and are likely to need it for at least another six months. There are special rules for people with terminal illness to help them get benefit for care quickly and easily.

You can get DLA even if no one is actually giving you the care that you need. You must claim before you are 65, although if you are getting DLA when you reach 65 you can continue to receive it as long as you still need the help. You may not get DLA if you are in hospital or residential care.

Children: You can claim DLA for a child with a physical or mental illness or disability if they need more help or looking after than other children of the same age because of their illness or disability.

Attendance Allowance

Attendance Allowance is paid if you need help looking after yourself and you became ill or disabled on or after your 65th birthday.

Claim: If you are over 65 and you have needed help for at least six months. There are special rules for people with a terminal illness to help them get benefit for care quickly and easily.

You can get Attendance Allowance even if no one is actually giving you the care you need.

Other Benefits

If you cannot work, you may well also be able to claim Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit and receive help with health care costs.

To claim: claim forms are available from Social Security Offices.

For further information contact the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 88 22 00 or textphone 0800 24 33 55.

 Printer Friendly Page

 Email to a Friend

© 2003 (USDAW) Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers
This page: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/equality/disability/1050234893_29678.html
Last Modified: Wednesday, 31-Jan-2007 01:16:23 EST