How much n.i do you have pay to claim incapacity benefit and how long can you claim for?

Question

How much n.i do you have pay to claim incapacity benefit and how long can you claim for?

Answer 1

It is complex but basically you have to have paid 3 years worth of Type 1 Class NI stamps for 3 years prior to your claim. If you have not paid enough you should claim Income Support as well as Incapacity Benefit

Incapacity is paid at different rates depending on the lenght of time you have been on it and then on your age.

The rates are :

short-term (lower) IB is paid for the first 28 weeks 63.75

short-term (higher) IB is paid from weeks 29 to 52 75.40

long-term IB is paid from week 53 84.50

You may be able to get an 'age addition' with your long-term Incapacity Benefit if you were under 45 when you became too ill or disabled to work

You can claim ubtil you are 65 or until you are fit (or found fit) for work

Answer 2

I am not sure how much N.I. you must have paid but you can claim incapacity benefit with regular medical assessments for as long as required, there are 3 rates, lower rate is paid for the first 28 weeks, higher rate is paid for weeks 29-52 and the long term rate is paid after week 53.