Industrial injuries disablement benefit

incensicle

My husband was injured in an accident at work. He hasn't worked since then, and when his SSP ran out he was sent forms to apply for ESA, which we filled in even though we knew he wasn't unfit for any work, he just couldn't do the work he was employed for. We were then sent forms to apply for industrial injuries disablement benefit, so we filled them in as well. He did get ESA for a while, until his medical declared he wasn't entitled to it (which was fair enough), and he was called in for another medical for IIDB. They have decided he is 20% disabled which is absolutely fair, and have just payed £900 back dated benefit to us. I'm completely shocked, this is very unexpected, and I'm actually a bit worried theres a catch. Eg are they going to claw it back from tax credits for example. We've been struggling since ESA stopped and it just seems to good to be true. Am I just being silly?

rosiewhyte

This is a NON TAXABLE Social Security Benefit based on the national insurance contributions you have paid. If you have an accident at work (which is worthy of placing in the accident book) it is worth having it recorded even if you do not wish to claim at present. Many knocks and bumps can cause problems later on in life. Phone your local IIDB office listed on direct gov uk website under Industrial Injuries Benefit and ask for a claim form. FOR SOME REASON THE JOBCENTRE DOES NOT PUBLICISE THIS BENEFIT. PERHAPS THEIR ADVISERS DON'T KNOW THAT IT EXISTS OR WHAT IT IS FOR. Whatever you do, do NOT seek the help of a private claims company or solicitor as they will charge you a large fee.
There is also a large list of industrial diseases covered by this benefit which you can claim for

incensicle

Thanks for the responses. Husbands claim will be reassessed at intervals I think. In his case the hope is he will still improve.

I agree with you Rosie, we had never heard of this benefit and nearly didn't fill the form in as we assumed we wouldn't be entitled to it. In fact the medical was obviously not as strict as the ESA one, and after the medical our payment came through in less than a week!
The only delay was from his work which had not recorded the incident accurately in the accident book.

I would encourage those entitled to it follow up the claim.
It does also seem that it is not taken into account when claiming WTC which is great