Care and support

How much in incapacity benefit?

For the first 28 weeks of your claim* (short-term lower rate) £63.75

From week 29 to week 52** (short-term higher rate) £75.40

After one year (long-term rate) £84.50

* you only get this if you cannot get statutory sick pay.

** if you get the highest rate of the care part of disability living allowance, or you are terminally ill, you can get the long-term rate from week 29 of your illness.

Pensioners get a higher amount of short term ICB

Any day you get statutory sick pay is treated as a day you were getting ICB when it is decided what rate of ICB you should get.

Additions to incapacity benefit

Age additions (paid with long-term rate only)

You get an extra £17.75 if you were aged under 35 when you became incapable of work, or £8.90 if you were aged over 35 but under 45.

Adult dependant additions

If you have an adult dependant who is caring for a child, or who is aged 60 or over, you may get an addition to the basic rate of ICB for them.

An addition for an adult dependant may not be paid if they are working, or getting certain other benefits.

Child dependant additions

Since April 2003 increases for children have been replaced by child tax credit. However, if you were getting child additions on 5/4/03 you continue to get them until entitlement ends or the increase stops for at least 58 days.

What if I have been claiming invalidity benefit since before 13th April l995?

If you were getting invalidity benefit before 13th April 1995, your benefit is calculated in a slightly different way and your ICB will not be taxable.