The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is providing a significant financial lifeline worth up to £11,715 per year to individuals below the state pension age who are suffering from one of over 70 work-related illnesses or injuries.
What is the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit?
This crucial support comes via the Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB), a non-contributory, no-fault scheme. It is designed for people who have become ill or disabled due to an accident at work or because of a disease directly linked to their occupation. The benefit is also available to those who were on an approved employment training scheme or course at the time.
Eligible claimants can receive £225.30 per week, which accumulates to the substantial annual figure. The amount an individual receives is not automatic and depends on their specific circumstances, particularly the assessed level of their disablement.
Who Qualifies and What Conditions Are Covered?
To qualify, you must have been an employed earner when the accident happened or when you contracted a prescribed disease. The Labour Party government, which administers the scheme, states it covers over 70 prescribed diseases recognised as occupational risks.
The extensive list of eligible conditions includes, but is not limited to:
- Asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease - COPD)
- Occupational deafness
- Pneumoconiosis, including silicosis and asbestosis
- Various asbestos-related diseases like diffuse mesothelioma and pleural thickening
- Osteoarthritis of the knee in coal miners
- Vibration white finger (Prescribed Disease A11)
- Dupuytren’s contracture
The scheme, officially known as the Industrial Injuries Scheme, provides benefits under the umbrella of Industrial Injuries Scheme Benefits (IISB). Its core purpose is to offer support without the need to prove employer negligence, focusing instead on the link between the condition and the workplace.
How to Claim This Vital Support
If you believe your illness or disability was caused by your job or a training scheme, you can make a claim for IIDB directly with the DWP. It is essential to provide details about your employment history and medical condition. Crucially, you can be under the state pension age to claim, making it a key source of support for working-age adults facing health challenges due to their former employment.
This benefit represents a critical part of the UK's social security framework, acknowledging the long-term health impact certain industries can have on workers. For those living with these debilitating conditions, the £225.30 weekly payment can provide essential financial stability.
