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Welfare Benefits

A person may be entitled to claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) if they became ill or disabled as a result of an industrial disease contracted during the course of employment. Entitlement depends on a person’s individual circumstances.

In addition, it is possible to apply for a carer’s allowance if you have caring needs.

If you cannot find the information that you are looking for, simply contact us using this form or by calling us on 0800 987 8809. We will be only too pleased to try and help you.

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A ‘medical examiner’ will assess the amount of disability that you get, and this is measured on a scale of 1%–100%. Any assessment result of 14% or above will typically mean that a person is eligible for the benefit.

As at October 2023, the weekly amount for different assessed levels of disablement are as follows:

Assessed Level of Disablement Weekly Amount
100% £207.60
90% £186.84
80% £166.08
70% £145.32
60% £124.56
50% £103.80
40% £83.04
30% £62.28
20% £41.52

The government may have updated these figures since we made this website page live. To view the most up-to-date figures, please click here.

Who can claim for IIDB?

If you have been diagnosed with a disease that you contracted whilst employed in a job, or on an approved training course, you can claim IIDB.

Over 70 diseases are covered by the benefits scheme, including:

  • Asthma.
  • Chronic bronchitis or emphysema – also known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
  • Pneumoconiosis (including silicosis and asbestosis).
  • Diffuse mesothelioma and a number of other asbestos-related diseases such as primary carcinoma of the lung.

The scheme also covers asbestos-related diseases including:

  • Pneumoconiosis (asbestosis).
  • Diffuse mesothelioma.
  • Primary carcinoma of the lung with asbestosis.
  • Primary carcinoma of the lung without asbestosis but where there has been extensive occupational exposure to asbestos in specified occupations.
  • Unilateral or bilateral diffuse pleural thickening.

How to make a claim?

To initiate the process, you will be required to complete a claim form and submit it via post. The claim form will include accompanying notes that provide guidance on how to fill it out correctly, as well as instructions on where to send it.

If a conclusion has been made that you disagree with, it is possible to challenge a decision. This is known as ‘mandatory reconsideration’.

What to do if circumstances change?

If a person’s circumstances change, the office that deals with the payments must be informed straight away. A change in circumstances that must be noted include:

  • The condition for which a person is getting benefit improves or worsens.
  • A person marries, remarries, or forms a civil partnership and a name is changed.
  • There is a change of address.
  • A person leaves the country.
  • A person goes to prison.

Further Benefits

In addition to IIDB, there may be other benefits that a person is entitled to claim. This might include:

Constant Attendance Allowance

Where a disability is assessed at 100% and daily care and attention is required. CAA payments are based on a further assessment of needs.

Exceptionally Severe Disablement Allowance

Paid at £83.10 (as at October 2023) in addition to CAA. A person is eligible for this if they are assessed at one of the top two rates of CAA and need permanent, constant care and attention.

Reduced Earnings Allowance

A person is eligible for REA if:

  • A person cannot do their usual job, or other work with similar pay, as a result of their diagnosis.
  • A person has a disability or injury which they incurred before 1 October 1990.

Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979

If a person has one of the following diseases, they may be paid a lump sum by Jobcentre Plus:

  • Pneumoconiosis.
  • Byssinosis.
  • Diffuse mesothelioma.
  • Bilateral diffuse pleural thickening.
  • Primary carcinoma of the lung when accompanied by asbestosis or bilateral diffuse pleural thickening.

However, all of the following conditions must be met in order to be eligible:

  • The dust-related disease was caused by employment and the person is receiving IIDB for one of the above diseases.
  • The claim for Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979 must be made within 12 months of the decision awarding IIDB.
  • Civil action has not been taken because the former employer has stopped trading.
  • Court action has not been brought and compensation has not been claimed from an employer relating to the disease.

Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment

It may still be possible to get a payment for an asbestos-related illness if a person is not eligible for compensation under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979.

They could claim for the ‘2008 scheme’ if they came into contact with asbestos:

  • When they were self employed.
  • Via a family member, e.g., whilst washing their clothing.

If a person was diagnosed with diffuse mesothelioma on or after 25 July 2012, there is an alternative payment scheme available. A person can apply for this scheme even if they have claimed compensation under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979.

Other Benefits

It is still possible to claim for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) if a person is claiming:

If a person or their partner is claiming the following benefits, IIDB will affect this:

Asbestos Awareness is dedicated to informing, educating, and supporting people in relation to asbestos-related diseases.

For further information, or to speak to a member of our experienced medical personal injury solicitors, please call 0800 987 8809. Alternatively, you can fill in this contact form.

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