Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (accidents)

You may be able to get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (accidents) if you're ill or have a disability because of an accident or event that happened at work or in connection with work.

Who is eligible

You may be able to claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit for accidents if:

you were employed when the accident or event happened
the work accident or event that caused your illness or disability happened in the UK

There are some exceptions that you can ask the Industrial Injuries Branch about.

Who isn't eligible

You cannot claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit if you were self-employed in work that caused your accident.

How much you may get

The amount of benefit you get depends on:

your age
the seriousness of your disability - assessed by a doctor on a scale of one to 100 per cent

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (accidents)

All amounts are a guide only:

Assessed level of disablement	Aged over 18 (weekly amount)	Aged under 18 with no dependants (weekly amount)
100 per cent	£145.80	£89.35
90 per cent	£131.22	£80.42
80 per cent	£116.64	£71.48
70 per cent	£102.06	£62.55
60 per cent	£87.48	£53.61
50 per cent	£72.90	£44.68
40 per cent	£58.32	£35.74
30 per cent	£43.74	£26.81
20 per cent	£29.16	£17.87

How it's paid

The Social Security Agency's normal way of paying pensions and benefits is Direct Payment into an account. It is a safe, convenient and efficient method of payment.

Effect on other benefits

If you have a disability because of an accident caused by work you may be able to claim other benefits.

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 accidents where your disability is assessed at 95 per cent or more and you need daily care and attention. The Constant Attendance Allowance rate you're paid is based on a doctor's assessment of your needs.

Constant Attendance Allowance

Exceptionally Severe Disablement Allowance

You can claim £57.50 paid in addition to the Constant Attendance Allowance rates. This is if you're 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 if your accident occurred before 1 October 1990. The maximum weekly rate is £57.44.

Reduced Earnings Allowance (money, tax and benefits section)

Retirement Allowance

Retirement Allowance replaces Reduced Earnings Allowance when you reach State Pension age. The maximum weekly rate is £14.36

How to claim

You can claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit online a the following nidirect page.

Apply for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

You can also get a claim form from Industrial Injuries Branch, at your local Social Security/Jobs and Benefits office.

Reporting a work accident - if you don't need to make a claim straight away

You can apply for a declaration that you have had an industrial accident, even if you do not want to claim any benefit right away.

It's a good idea to apply for a declaration if you are not disabled immediately after your accident, but you think you may experience some problems in the future as a result.

What to do if your circumstances change

It's important you contact Industrial Injuries Benefits Branch 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
goes into prison

It's likely you or the person you're caring for will continue to get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit - even if you're going abroad permanently.

But if your stay is temporary, you'll usually only get payments for the first three months. The Industrial Injuries Branch will give you more information.