Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

Further information

Other benefits you may be able to get

Constant Attendance Allowance (CAA)

You can claim CAA for accidents where your disability is assessed at 100% and you need daily care and attention.

The CAA rate you’re paid is based on an assessment of your needs.

Exceptionally Severe Disablement Allowance

You can claim £88.70 paid in addition to the CAA rates, if you’re assessed at one of the top 2 rates of CAA and need permanent, constant care and attention.

Reduced Earnings Allowance (REA)

You may get REA if both of the following apply:

you cannot do your usual job or other work with similar pay because of an accident or disease caused by work
you have a disability or injury which began before 1 October 1990

Pneumoconiosis Etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979

Jobcentre Plus may pay you a lump sum if you have one of the following diseases:

pneumoconiosis (including asbestosis, silicosis and kaolinosis)
byssinosis
diffuse mesothelioma
unilateral or bilateral diffuse pleural thickening
asbestos-related primary carcinoma of the lung

To get a payment you must meet all the following conditions:

your dust-related disease must have been caused by your employment
you’re getting Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit for one of the listed diseases
you must claim within 12 months of the decision awarding Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
you cannot or have not taken civil action because your former employer has stopped trading
you have not brought a court action or received compensation from an employer in respect of the disease

You may be able to make a claim if you’re the dependant of someone who suffered from a dust-related disease but who has died. A dependant claim must be made within 12 months of the death of the sufferer.

Diffuse mesothelioma payment

You may still be able to get a payment for an asbestos-related illness if you are not eligible for compensation under the Pneumoconiosis etc (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979.

There are two different payment schemes.

You can claim for the ‘2008 scheme’ if you came into contact with asbestos:

while you were self employed
through a family member, for example by washing their clothes

You can claim for the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS) if you were diagnosed with diffuse mesothelioma on or after 25 July 2012. You can apply for this even if you’ve claimed compensation under the Pneumoconiosis etc (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979.

You can read more about the eligibility for both schemes.

Effects on other benefits

You can still get Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) if you’re claiming:

contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
Incapacity Benefit
New Style Jobseeker’s Allowance
State Pension

IIDB will affect the following benefits if you or your partner are claiming them:

Income Support
income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
income-related Employment and Support Allowance
Pension Credit
Housing Benefit
Working Tax Credit
Universal Credit

It may also affect Council Tax Reduction - contact your local council for more information.