INCAPACITY BENEFIT

What is it? | Basic qualifying conditions | How much could I get and how am I paid? | How and when should I apply? | What else might I be able to claim?

Claim form	Request one by filling in our online form
Tel :	01624 685105 01624 685106
E-mail :	general.benefits@socialsecurity.dhss.gov.im

What is it?

Incapacity Benefit (IB) is a contributory non-means tested benefit which gives financial assistance to people who become sick, and are unable to work.

Basic qualifying conditions

To qualify you must be ordinarily resident in the Island at the time of your claim.

You must be under 60 for women and under 65 for men. However, you may receive Short-term Incapacity Benefit at the Retirement Pension rate for up to 52 weeks if the illness or disability

began before you reached pension age; or
is linked to a period of incapacity for work before pension age.

Entitlement to IB is based on the National Insurance contributions you have paid. Any savings you may have are ignored when deciding if you will qualify for the benefit.

How much could I get and how am I paid?

IB is paid at one of three basic rates :

short-term lower rate - for the first 28 weeks of incapacity
short-term higher rate - from weeks 29 to 52
long-term rate after 52 weeks

See leaflet NI 196 (IOM) for the benefit rates.

No payment is made for the first 3 days of incapacity.

You can be paid either by cheque which can be cashed at a Post Office weekly (Short-term Incapacity Benefit) or fortnightly (Long-term Incapacity Benefit), or paid into a bank or building society, or by direct credit every 2 weeks directly into a bank or building society account (Long - term Incapacity Benefit cases).

How and when should I apply?

Use the SC1 claim form and return it to General Benefits Section, Ground Floor, Markwell House, Market Street, Douglas. A doctor's statement should be provided for any periods over 7 days. Claims must be made within three months of the start of your incapacity.

Permitted and Voluntary Work

There are special rules if you want to try paid or voluntary work whilst you are in receipt of Incapacity Benefit. For further information please download Section 1 of the Benefits and Contributions Information Guide below.

What else might I be able to claim?

Related benefits are:

For more information on Incapacity Benefit, please download the documents below which relate to Social Security Benefits on the Isle of Man. Alternatively you could contact your local Social Security Office direct.

Downloadable Documents