What if it happened to you?  Below are details of what you can expect from State Benefits should you find yourself unable to work due to incapacity or ill health.

If you can't work because of an illness or disability which started before 27 October 2008, you may be able to get Incapacity Benefit. This is a weekly payment for people who become incapable of work while under State Pension age.

If you are an employee and unable to work because you are ill you may be able to get Statutory Sick Pay.  It is Paid by your employer and can be paid for up to 28 weeks.¹ You need to be earning an average wage of at least £102 per week and you have to be sick for at least four days in a row.

The above figures relate to the 2011-2012 tax year.  Statutory sick pay (SSP) applies if an employer does not offer company sick pay.  There may be further benefits avaiable if the claimant has a dependant partner who looks after a child.  Also the claimant may be eligible for Age Addition depending on his/her age on the first day of incapacity.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) was introduced on 27 October 2008.

It replaces Incapacity Benefit and Income Support, paid because of an illness or disability, for new claimants only. If you already receiveIncapacity Benefit, you will continue to receive it. It is intended that recipients move to the new benefit between 2009 and 2013. For further details and information on rates then please visit direct.gov.uk.

Please do not rely on the information above to assess if you are eligible for benefits.  For details on how to claim and for further information please visit your local job centre or visit direct.gov.uk.

¹Source direct.gov.uk

^*If a claimant is assessed as being capable of performing their normal occupation they will not be eligible for employment and support allowance.  Individuals who do qualify will be classified into two categories: Work-related activity group (capable of performing some work activity) or Support group (not capable of work)