Too ill to work?

 After this you may be able to get Incapacity Benefit if you have sufficient National Insurance contributions, or are under 21 when you became unable to work. 

If you are self employed you will need to claim Incapacity Benefit straight away.

If these benefits are not enough to live on, you may be able to get Income Support to top up your income and/or help with your rent and/or council tax. If you would like more information on these matters, use the 'Income support' or 'Rent and council tax' links from the Welfare Rights home page. 

If you claim either Incapacity Benefit and/or Income Support, you will, at some point, be asked to fill in a questionnaire so that the Department for Work and Pensions can assess whether or not you are capable of work.    

The answers given on your questionnaire will determine whether or not you have to go for a medical which will look at your ability to do some sort of job. It looks at your ability to do simple things such as standing, bending and reaching. There are separate tests if you have mental ill health or learning disabilities.    

When you get a questionnaire, ring the Benefits Helpline - get advice and more information about Incapacity Benefits.    

If your Incapacity Benefit is stopped for any reason, contact the Benefits Helpline immediately for advice. Many people who have done so have been able to appeal successfully and have got their benefit back together with full arrears. The Welfare Rights Service can provide representation to help with your appeal, free of charge.    

If you have health problems or a disability which makes it difficult to manage personal tasks see the 'Care and mobility' information linked on the left.