Benefits: Preston DISC - Disability Information Services Centre

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Your Privacy and Legal Disclaimer All information on this website is (c) Preston DISC unless otherwise stated. Webmaster: Omega Alpha	Preston Disability Information Services Centre (DISC) 103 Church Street - T: 01772 558863 - Email: info@prestondisc.org.uk
	Benefits For disabled people and their carers. INCAPACITY BENEFIT April 2001 saw major changes in Incapacity Benefit. From this date anyone receiving an occupational pension will be penalised. For this purpose the first £85 of occupational pension will be ignored, then for every £1 over this amount they will lose 50% of each £1 of benefit. ( i.e. 50 pence in each pound). WHAT IS INCAPACITY BENEFIT Incapacity Benefit is a benefit for people under state pension age, at present 60 for a woman and 65 for a man, who are unable to work because of an illness or disability and who have paid enough NI contributions. RATES OF INCAPACITY BENEFIT Incapacity Benefit is paid at one of three basic rates; Short-term lower rate – for the first 28 weeks of incapacity Short-term higher rate – from weeks 29 to 52 Long term rate – after 52 weeks People who are getting the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance, or who are terminally ill can get Incapacity Benefit paid at the long-term rate after 28 weeks. You cannot get Incapacity Benefit if you are over state pension age. There are certain rules which apply to widows and widowers. HOW TO CLAIM INCAPACITY BENEFIT If you are employed you will get a claim pack SSP1, from your employer. You should fill in this claim form and send it to your local social security office. If you are self-employed, unemployed or non-employed, you must fill in claim form SC1, which you can get from your doctor, hospital or social security office. It is accepted as evidence for the first seven days of your incapacity. TIME LIMITS FOR CLAIMS Do not delay in making your claim or you may lose benefit. For more information about time limits for claims, check with your local social security office. HOW MUCH IS INCAPACITY BENEFIT Under state-pension age Short-term Incapacity Benefit Lower rate - £52.60 Higher rate - £62.60 Long-term Incapacity Benefit - £69.75 Over state pension age Short – term Incapacity Benefit Retirement pension rate (maximum) - £69.75 More benefits...
	Preston DISC - Providing disabled people and their carers in Preston and District with high quality, free, confidential information and advice. [Benefits] - [More About DISC] - [Rights] - [Equipment] - [Transport] - [DISC News] - [DISC Membership] - [Holidays] Preston Disability Information Services Centre (DISC) 103 Church Street, Preston, Lancashire, PR1 3BS. T: 01772 558863 - Email: info@prestondisc.org.uk A pro bono project from Omega Alpha, part of the preponderate.network. If you have any comments about this website please email discwebmaster@omega-alpha.com.