Incapacity Benefit

Incapacity Benefit used to be a benefit which could be claimed if you were too unwell to work. You cannot make a new claim for Incapacity Benefit anymore as the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) has replaced it, however, some people still receive Incapacity Benefit. In 2011, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) started to reassess everyone who receives Incapacity Benefit using the Employment and Support Allowance rules.

We cannot say exactly when the DWP will reassess you for ESA (or Universal Credit if you live in a full service area) if you are still receiving Incapacity Benefit. However, the Jobcentre Plus helpline may be able to tell you. The DWP will contact you when they are going to review your Incapacity Benefit claim and you do not need to do anything before they contact you.