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Who is eligible

You can claim if you were employed in a job that caused you to suffer from the disease. The scheme covers more than 70 diseases, including:

• Diseases covered by Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit - Department for Work and Pensions website Opens new window
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit delivery centres

Who isn't eligible

You can't claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit if you were self-employed in work that caused your disease or deafness.

How much you can get

Your individual circumstances including your age and the severity of your disability - assessed by a doctor on a scale of one to 100 per cent - will affect the level of benefit you may get. For certain lung diseases, payment is made at the 100% rate from the start of your claim.

All amounts are a guide only:

How it's paid

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit and related benefits are paid directly into your bank, building society, Post Office or National Savings account.

If you're registered blind or need someone who cares for you to collect the money, you'll be sent a cheque to be cashed at the Post Office.

Effect on other benefits

You may qualify for other benefits if you're disabled from disease or deafness by work.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is taken into account as income for means-tested benefits such as Income Support.

Other benefits you may be able to receive

Constant Attendance Allowance

You can claim for diseases and or deafness that happened before 1 October 1990, where your disability is assessed at 100 per cent and you need daily care and attention.

The Constant Attendance Allowance rate you're paid is based on an assessment of your needs.

• Constant Attendance Allowance

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (accidents)

You may also be able to get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (accidents) if you're disabled as a result of a work-related accident.

• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (accidents)

Exceptionally Severe Disablement Allowance

You can claim £54.80 paid in addition to the Constant Attendance Allowance rates, if you are assessed at Constant Attendance Allowance intermediate or exceptional rate and need permanent, constant care and attention.

Reduced Earnings Allowance

You may be able to get Reduced Earnings Allowance (REA) if your current earnings, or earnings in a job which it is considered you could do, are less than the current earnings in your previous regular occupation. You can only get REA for claims relating to industrial diseases that first occurred before 1 October 1990. The maximum weekly rate is £54.72.

Retirement Allowance

Retirement Allowance replaces Reduced Earnings Allowance when you reach State Pension age. You may qualify for a maximum weekly rate of £13.68.

Pneumoconiosis

If you suffer from certain dust-related diseases you may also get a payment under the Pneumoconiosis (Workers Compensation) Act 1979.

• Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers' Compensation) Act 1979 - Jobcentre Plus website Opens new window

How to claim

You should claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit straight away or you could lose the benefit.

You can get a claim form from your regional Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit delivery centre or download an Industrial Injuries Disablement claim form.

• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit claim form - diseases and deafness (PDF document, 332 KB) - Department for Work and Pensions website Opens new window
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit delivery centres

What to do if your circumstances change

It's important you contact the office that deals with your payments if you or someone you claim for:

In most cases you or the person you're caring for will continue to get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit - even if you're going abroad permanently.

Reduced Earnings Allowance is not payable if you move abroad permanently.

The office that deals with your payment can give you more information.