Incapacity Benefit
What is Incapacity Benefit for Young People?
Incapacity Benefit is available for young people who:
Have been incapacitated in early life AND Are unable to work because of illness or disability AND Have not paid enough National Insurance contributions to be able to get Incapacity Benefit under the normal rules.
Who can get Incapacity Benefit for Young People?
Eligibility for age 16 but under 20 Young People may be able to claim Incapacity Benefit under the Incapacity in Youth rules if all of the following apply:
They are aged 16 or over but under 20 and not in full time education (21 hours or more per week). The number of hours may be adjusted where education is provided specifically for young people with a learning disability and/or disability
They have been unable to work for at least 196 days in a continuous period. One of these days must be before the young person’s 20th birthday.
They have a medical certificate for the whole period of incapacity.
Eligibility for age 20 but under 25
Young People must serve a qualifying period of 196 continuous days, one day of which must fall before their 25th birthday.
Medical evidence must be provided for the whole of the qualifying period.
Young people must also have been:
Registered on a course of full time advanced or secondary education, or vocational or work based training AND
The education or training must have began on or before a day at least 3 calendar months before the age of 20 AND
They have attended one or more of such courses immediately after registration AND
Their attendance has ended no earlier than the beginning of the last 2 tax years before the benefit year which would have governed a claim for Incapacity Benefit had they been eligible for it.
