Incapacity Benefit

Incapacity Benefit is a benefit paid to those who are unable to work and have paid enough in NI contributions. It was phased out and replaced by Employment Support Allowance from 31st January 2011. Some people maybe still in receipt of this benefit but any new claims are done via ESA.

Under ESA each person who was on Incapacity Benefit will have undertaken a Work Capability Assessment to see if they have “limited capacity to work”.