What are Incapacity Benefit and Income Support?
Incapacity Benefit (IB) and Income Support (IS) were the benefits paid to people unable to work as a result of illness or disability before 27 October 2008. Severe Disablement Allowance (SDA) is another benefit, available before 2001, to people who were unable to work and assessed as 80 per cent disabled. They are paid by Jobcentre Plus, which is part of the Department for Work and Pensions.
Employment and Support Allowance and reassessment of claimants
Since 27 October 2008, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) has been the benefit for people who are unable to work because of sickness or disability. If you were already receiving IB, IS or SDA before 27 October 2008 you will continue to receive those benefits until you are reassessed under the rules of ESA.
If you were already getting IB or SDA before 27 October 2008 and your circumstances have changed so that you are now entitled to an income-related benefit (for example if your savings have gone down below £16,000), you can claim an Income Support top-up.
The reassessments for ESA will take place between 2011 and 2014. They involve a medical test that determines whether or not you can receive ESA and, if you can, what your obligations will be to continue to receive it.
For more details, download our factsheet about reassessment for IB and IS claimants:
The factsheet explains:
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the rules that apply to your IB, IS or SDA while you are waiting to be reassessed
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how the reassessment for ESA will be carried out - including the medical tests involved
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what to do if you disagree with the result of your reassessment
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weekly rates for IB, IS and SDA.
Further information
If you experience difficulties claiming any of the benefits mentioned here, disagree with a decision or want further information, please call our Helpline on 0303 123 9999 or email helpline@rnib.org.uk.
This information gives general guidance only and is not an authoritative statement of the law.