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Disabled people
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (diseases and deafness)
If you are ill or disabled because of disease or deafness caused by certain types of work, you may be able to claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (diseases and deafness).
Who is eligible
You can claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (diseases and deafness) if you were employed in a job that caused your disease or deafness. The scheme covers more than 70 diseases, including:
- a disease caused by working with asbestos
- asthma
- chronic bronchitis or emphysema
- deafness
- pneumoconiosis (including silicosis and asbestosis)
- tenosynovitis
- prescribed disease A11 (previously known as vibration white finger)
You can get a full list of illnesses from your regional Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit delivery centre.
Osteoarthritis of the knee in miners
On 13 July 2009 Osteoarthritis of the knee in miners, commonly known as 'Miners' Knee', will be added to the list of diseases covered by the Industrial Injuries scheme. Miners who worked underground for ten years or more may be eligible to claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
For more information and to obtain a claim form, please contact the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit delivery centre.
If you complete and send the claim form in before 13 July 2009, it will be kept and your claim will be processed as soon as possible after that date.
Who is not eligible
You cannot 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 per cent rate from the start of your claim.
All amounts are a guide only:
| Assessed level of disablement | Aged over 18 (weekly amount) | Aged under 18 with no dependants (weekly amount) |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | £143.60 | £88.05 |
| 90% | £129.24 | £79.25 |
| 80% | £114.88 | £70.44 |
| 70% | £100.52 | £61.64 |
| 60% | £86.16 | £52.83 |
| 50% | £71.80 | £44.03 |
| 40% | £57.44 | £35.22 |
| 30% | £43.08 | £26.42 |
| 20% | £28.72 | £17.61 |
How it is paid
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit and related benefits are paid directly into your bank, building society, Post Office or National Savings account.
If you are registered blind or need someone who cares for you to collect the money, you will be sent a cheque to be cashed at the Post Office.
Effect on other benefits
You may qualify for other benefits if you are disabled from disease or deafness by work.
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit is understood as income for means-tested benefits such as Income Support.
How to claim
You should claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit straight away or you could lose benefit.
You can get a claim form from your regional Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit delivery centre or download an Industrial Injuries Disablement claim form.
What to do if your circumstances change
It is important you contact the office that deals with your payments if you or someone you claim for:
- goes into or leaves hospital
- goes into or leaves a care home
- goes abroad to live or visit
In most cases you or the person you are caring for will continue to get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit - even if you are 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.
Other benefits you may be able to receive
Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to claim other benefits as well as or instead of Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (diseases and deafness).
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 are paid is based on an assessment of your needs.
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (accidents)
You may be able to get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (accidents) if you are disabled as a result of a work-related accident.
Pneumoconiosis
If you suffer from certain dust-related diseases you may get a payment under the Pneumoconiosis (Workers Compensation) Act 1979.
Exceptionally Severe Disablement Allowance
You can claim £57.50 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 £57.44.
Retirement Allowance
Retirement Allowance replaces Reduced Earnings Allowance when you reach State Pension age. You may qualify for a maximum weekly rate of £14.36.
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