We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum... Read More »
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Incapacity benefit points thresholds
fabwitch_2
Posts: 1,756 Forumite
Enclosed is the points system for claiming incapacity benifit, I hope it will be usefull for anyone applying or appealing .
Sitting in an upright chair with a back but no arms
a Cannot sit comfortably 15
b Cannot sit comfortably for more than 10 minutes
without having to move from the chair because the
degree of discomfort makes it impossible to continue
sitting 15
c Cannot sit comfortably for more than 30 minutes
without having to move from the chair because the
degree of discomfort makes it impossible to continue
sitting 7
d Cannot sit comfortably for more than one hour
without having to move from the chair because the
degree of discomfort makes it impossible to continue
sitting 3
e Cannot sit comfortably for more than two hours
without having to move from the chair because the
degree of discomfort makes it impossible to continue
sitting 0
f No problem with sitting 0
Rising from sitting from an upright chair with a back but no arms
a Cannot rise from sitting to standing 15
b Cannot rise from sitting to standing without holding on
to something 7
c Sometimes cannot rise from sitting to standing without
holding on to something 3
d No problem with rising from sitting to standing 0
Bending and kneeling
a Cannot bend to touch knees and straighten up again 15
b Cannot either bend or kneel, or bend and kneel, as
if to pick up a piece of paper from the floor and
straighten up again 15
c Sometimes cannot either bend or kneel, or bend
and kneel, as if to pick up a piece of paper from
the floor and straighten up again 3
d No problem with bending and kneeling 0
Standing without the support of another person; may use a walking stick
a Cannot stand unassisted 15
b Cannot stand for more than a minute before
having to sit down 15
c Cannot stand for more than 10 minutes before
having to sit down 15
d Cannot stand for more than 30 minutes before
having to sit down 7
e Cannot stand for more than 10 minutes before
having to move around 7
f Cannot stand for more than 30 minutes before
having to move around 3
g No problem with standing 0
Walking on level ground with a walking stick or other aid if normally used
a Cannot walk at all 15
b Cannot walk more than a few steps without
stopping or severe discomfort 15
c Cannot walk more than 50 metres without
stopping or severe discomfort 15
d Cannot walk more than 200 metres without
stopping or severe discomfort 7
e Cannot walk more than 400 metres without
stopping or severe discomfort 3
f Cannot walk more than 800 metres without
stopping or severe discomfort 0
g No problem with walking 0
Walking up and down stairs
a Cannot walk up and down one stair 15
b Cannot walk up and down a flight of 12 stairs 15
c Cannot walk up and down a flight of 12 stairs
without holding on and taking a rest 7
d Cannot walk up and down a flight of 12 stairs
without holding on 3
e Can only walk up and down a flight of 12 stairs
if going sideways or one step at a time 3
f No problem with walking up and down stairs 0
Manual dexterity
a Cannot turn the pages of a book with either hand 15
b Cannot turn a sink tap or the control knobs
on a cooker with either hand 15
c Cannot pick up a coin which is 2.5 centimeters
or less in diameter with either hand 15
d Cannot use a pen or pencil 15
e Cannot tie a bow in laces or string 10
f Cannot turn a sink tap or the control knobs
on a cooker with one hand but can with the other 6
g Cannot pick up a coin which is 2.5 centimetres
or less in diameter with one hand but can with the other 6
h No problem with manual dexterity 0
Reaching
a Cannot raise either arm as if to put something
in the top pocket of a coat or jacket 15
b Cannot raise either arm to their head as if
to put on a hat 15
c Cannot put either arm behind their back as
if to put on a coat or jacket 15
d Cannot raise either arm above their head as
if to reach for something 15
e Cannot raise one arm to their head as if to
put on a hat but can with the other 6
f Cannot raise one arm to their head as if to
reach for something but can with the other 0
g No problem with reaching 0
Lifting and carrying by use of upper body and arms
a Cannot pick up a paperback book with either hand 15
b Cannot pick up and carry a 0.5 litre carton of
milk with either hand 15
c Cannot pick up and pour from a full saucepan
or kettle of 1.7 litre capacity with either hand 15
d Cannot pick up and carry a 2.5 kilogramme
bag of potatoes with either hand 8
e Cannot pick up and carry a 0.5 litre carton of
milk with one hand but can with the other 6
f Cannot pick up and carry a 2.5 kilogramme
bag of potatoes with one hand but can with the other 0
g No problem with lifting and carrying 0
Vision in normal daylight with glasses
a Cannot tell light from dark 15
b Cannot see the shape of furniture in the room 15
c Cannot see well enough to read 16 point
print at a distance greater than 20 centimetres 15
d Cannot see well enough to recognise a friend
across the room at a distance of at least 5 metres 12
e Cannot see well enough to recognise a friend
across the room at a distance of at least 15 metres 8
f No problem with vision 0
Speech
a Cannot speak 15
b Speech cannot be understood by family or friends 15
c Speech cannot be understood by strangers 15
d Strangers have great difficulty understanding speech 10
e Strangers have some difficulty understanding speech 8
f No problem with speech 0
Hearing with a hearing aid if used
a Cannot hear sounds at all 15
b Cannot hear well enough to follow a television
programme with the volume turned up 15
c Cannot hear well enough to understand someone
talking in a loud voice in a quiet room 15
d Cannot hear well enough to understand someone
talking in a normal voice in a quiet room 10
e Cannot hear well enough to understand someone
talking in a normal voice on a busy street 8
f No problem with hearing 0
Remaining conscious without having epileptic or similar seizures during waking moments
a Has an involuntary episode of lost or altered
consciousness at least once a day 15
b Has (as above) at least once a week 15
c Has (as above) at least once a month 15
d Has had (as above) at least twice in the six
months before the test is applied 12
e Has had (as above) once in the six months
before the test is applied 8
f Has had (as above) once in the three
years before the test is applied 0
g Has no problems with consciousness 0
Continence (other than enure
sis – bed wettinga No voluntary control over bowels 15
b No voluntary control over bladder 15
c Loses control of bowels at least once a week 15
d Loses control of bowels at least once a month 15
e Loses control of bowels occasionally 9
f Loses control of bladder at least once a month 3
g Loses control of bladder occasionally 0
h No problem with continence 0
Sitting in an upright chair with a back but no arms
a Cannot sit comfortably 15
b Cannot sit comfortably for more than 10 minutes
without having to move from the chair because the
degree of discomfort makes it impossible to continue
sitting 15
c Cannot sit comfortably for more than 30 minutes
without having to move from the chair because the
degree of discomfort makes it impossible to continue
sitting 7
d Cannot sit comfortably for more than one hour
without having to move from the chair because the
degree of discomfort makes it impossible to continue
sitting 3
e Cannot sit comfortably for more than two hours
without having to move from the chair because the
degree of discomfort makes it impossible to continue
sitting 0
f No problem with sitting 0
Rising from sitting from an upright chair with a back but no arms
a Cannot rise from sitting to standing 15
b Cannot rise from sitting to standing without holding on
to something 7
c Sometimes cannot rise from sitting to standing without
holding on to something 3
d No problem with rising from sitting to standing 0
Bending and kneeling
a Cannot bend to touch knees and straighten up again 15
b Cannot either bend or kneel, or bend and kneel, as
if to pick up a piece of paper from the floor and
straighten up again 15
c Sometimes cannot either bend or kneel, or bend
and kneel, as if to pick up a piece of paper from
the floor and straighten up again 3
d No problem with bending and kneeling 0
Standing without the support of another person; may use a walking stick
a Cannot stand unassisted 15
b Cannot stand for more than a minute before
having to sit down 15
c Cannot stand for more than 10 minutes before
having to sit down 15
d Cannot stand for more than 30 minutes before
having to sit down 7
e Cannot stand for more than 10 minutes before
having to move around 7
f Cannot stand for more than 30 minutes before
having to move around 3
g No problem with standing 0
Walking on level ground with a walking stick or other aid if normally used
a Cannot walk at all 15
b Cannot walk more than a few steps without
stopping or severe discomfort 15
c Cannot walk more than 50 metres without
stopping or severe discomfort 15
d Cannot walk more than 200 metres without
stopping or severe discomfort 7
e Cannot walk more than 400 metres without
stopping or severe discomfort 3
f Cannot walk more than 800 metres without
stopping or severe discomfort 0
g No problem with walking 0
Walking up and down stairs
a Cannot walk up and down one stair 15
b Cannot walk up and down a flight of 12 stairs 15
c Cannot walk up and down a flight of 12 stairs
without holding on and taking a rest 7
d Cannot walk up and down a flight of 12 stairs
without holding on 3
e Can only walk up and down a flight of 12 stairs
if going sideways or one step at a time 3
f No problem with walking up and down stairs 0
Manual dexterity
a Cannot turn the pages of a book with either hand 15
b Cannot turn a sink tap or the control knobs
on a cooker with either hand 15
c Cannot pick up a coin which is 2.5 centimeters
or less in diameter with either hand 15
d Cannot use a pen or pencil 15
e Cannot tie a bow in laces or string 10
f Cannot turn a sink tap or the control knobs
on a cooker with one hand but can with the other 6
g Cannot pick up a coin which is 2.5 centimetres
or less in diameter with one hand but can with the other 6
h No problem with manual dexterity 0
Reaching
a Cannot raise either arm as if to put something
in the top pocket of a coat or jacket 15
b Cannot raise either arm to their head as if
to put on a hat 15
c Cannot put either arm behind their back as
if to put on a coat or jacket 15
d Cannot raise either arm above their head as
if to reach for something 15
e Cannot raise one arm to their head as if to
put on a hat but can with the other 6
f Cannot raise one arm to their head as if to
reach for something but can with the other 0
g No problem with reaching 0
Lifting and carrying by use of upper body and arms
a Cannot pick up a paperback book with either hand 15
b Cannot pick up and carry a 0.5 litre carton of
milk with either hand 15
c Cannot pick up and pour from a full saucepan
or kettle of 1.7 litre capacity with either hand 15
d Cannot pick up and carry a 2.5 kilogramme
bag of potatoes with either hand 8
e Cannot pick up and carry a 0.5 litre carton of
milk with one hand but can with the other 6
f Cannot pick up and carry a 2.5 kilogramme
bag of potatoes with one hand but can with the other 0
g No problem with lifting and carrying 0
Vision in normal daylight with glasses
a Cannot tell light from dark 15
b Cannot see the shape of furniture in the room 15
c Cannot see well enough to read 16 point
print at a distance greater than 20 centimetres 15
d Cannot see well enough to recognise a friend
across the room at a distance of at least 5 metres 12
e Cannot see well enough to recognise a friend
across the room at a distance of at least 15 metres 8
f No problem with vision 0
Speech
a Cannot speak 15
b Speech cannot be understood by family or friends 15
c Speech cannot be understood by strangers 15
d Strangers have great difficulty understanding speech 10
e Strangers have some difficulty understanding speech 8
f No problem with speech 0
Hearing with a hearing aid if used
a Cannot hear sounds at all 15
b Cannot hear well enough to follow a television
programme with the volume turned up 15
c Cannot hear well enough to understand someone
talking in a loud voice in a quiet room 15
d Cannot hear well enough to understand someone
talking in a normal voice in a quiet room 10
e Cannot hear well enough to understand someone
talking in a normal voice on a busy street 8
f No problem with hearing 0
Remaining conscious without having epileptic or similar seizures during waking moments
a Has an involuntary episode of lost or altered
consciousness at least once a day 15
b Has (as above) at least once a week 15
c Has (as above) at least once a month 15
d Has had (as above) at least twice in the six
months before the test is applied 12
e Has had (as above) once in the six months
before the test is applied 8
f Has had (as above) once in the three
years before the test is applied 0
g Has no problems with consciousness 0
Continence (other than enure
sis – bed wettinga No voluntary control over bowels 15
b No voluntary control over bladder 15
c Loses control of bowels at least once a week 15
d Loses control of bowels at least once a month 15
e Loses control of bowels occasionally 9
f Loses control of bladder at least once a month 3
g Loses control of bladder occasionally 0
h No problem with continence 0
Competitions wins 2010
LG Cookie Fresh Mobile with £50 credit, Kiss 100 on FB
.:j
LG Cookie Fresh Mobile with £50 credit, Kiss 100 on FB
.:j
0
Comments
-
Mental health descriptors
Completion of tasks
Descriptor Points
a Cannot answer the telephone and reliably
take a message 2
b Often sits for hours doing nothing 2
c Cannot concentrate to read a magazine article
or follow a radio or television programme 1
d Cannot use a telephone book or other directory
to find a number 1
e Mental condition prevents them from undertaking
leisure activities previously enjoyed 1
f Overlooks or forgets the risk posed by domestic
appliances or other common hazards due to poor
concentration 1
g Agitation, confusion or forgetfulness has resulted
in potentially dangerous accidents in the three
months before the test is applied 1
h Concentration can only be sustained by prompting 1
Daily living
Descriptor Points
a Needs encouragement to get up and dress 2
b Needs alcohol before midday 2
c Is frequently distressed at some time of the day due to
fluctuation of mood 1
d Does not care about appearance and living conditions 1
e Sleep problems interfere with daytime activities 1
Coping with pressure
Descriptor Points
a Mental stress was a factor in making them stop work 2
b Frequently feels scared or panicky for no
apparent reason 2
c Avoids carrying out routine activities because
convinced they will prove too tiring or stressful 1
d Is unable to cope with changes in daily routine 1
e Frequently finds there are so many things to
do that they give up because of fatigue, apathy or
disinterest 1
f Is scared or anxious that work would bring back
or worsen their illness 1
Interaction with other people
Descriptor Points
a Cannot look after themselves without help
from others 2
b Gets upset by ordinary events and it results
in disruptive behavioural problems 2
c Mental problems impair ability to communicate
with other people 2
d Gets irritated by things that would not have
bothered them before they became ill 1
e Prefers to be left alone for six hours or more
each day 1
f Is too frightened to go out alone 1
Competitions wins 2010
LG Cookie Fresh Mobile with £50 credit, Kiss 100 on FB
.:j0 -
I have roughly got 85 points going through all cryteria. In terms of DLA and IB, where does 85 get me?
Thanks..0 -
It gives you nothing in regard to DLA, but (assuming the DWP accept it), the "pass mark for IB used to be 15 (although they don't actually release the information now, and it could have changed):
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/medical/percap.pdf
Lin
You can tell a lot about a woman by her hands..........for instance, if they are placed around your throat, she's probably slightly upset.
0 -
thanks for this info much appreciated and very usefull0
-
Very interesting, food for thought. By those criteria I wouldn't get IB and I've got cancer! Perhaps I should become an alcoholic, they get more points than I do :mad: The only points I get would be for my hearing loss, and that's never stopped me working!0
-
...And does DLA or HB carry the same points system?!0
-
harveybobbles wrote: »...And does DLA or HB carry the same points system?!
No they do not have the same points system. DLA is not decided on a points system but on care and mobility needs.0 -
Interesting tables. I consider myself fit, no (what I would call) incapacities and do a full time job with no problems. However based on the descriptions above, I qualify for IB (based on entry #4).
Go figure!This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com0 -
I think it can be confusing with the number of points that you think you are entitled to and the way they are awarded.
Each prescriptor has a number of levels with points awarded for each level. If you find that in each prescriptor you match several of the sections you will be awarded the highest one. You will not get all the points of each of the prescriptor.
The number of points required to be classed as inacapable of work is 15 for Physical and 9 for Mental.
Incapacity Benefit is paid when you are sick and is awarded on the basis of contributions. Disability Living Allowance is a disability benefit and is paid as a result of how your illness casues you problems with mobility and personal care.0 -
I think it can be confusing with the number of points that you think you are entitled to and the way they are awarded.
Each prescriptor has a number of levels with points awarded for each level. If you find that in each prescriptor you match several of the sections you will be awarded the highest one. You will not get all the points of each of the prescriptor.
The number of points required to be classed as inacapable of work is 15 for Physical and 9 for Mental.
Incapacity Benefit is paid when you are sick and is awarded on the basis of contributions. Disability Living Allowance is a disability benefit and is paid as a result of how your illness casues you problems with mobility and personal care.
10 points or more are required to be classed as incapable of work on mental health descriptors alone.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 350.4K Banking & Borrowing
- 252.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 453.3K Spending & Discounts
- 243.4K Work, Benefits & Business
- 598K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 176.6K Life & Family
- 256.5K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.6K Read-Only Boards