Incapacity Benefit is the social security benefit paid to those who are incapable of work, and who have paid sufficient National Insurance contributions.

However, those young people who are incapable of work before the age of 20, can claim it without having to pay any NI contributions. The qualifying rule is that a person is incapable of work on or before their 20th birthday and has been so for a period of 28 weeks.

To claim this benefit, an IB(Y)1 form needs to be completed and returned to the DSS. A medical certificate from a GP is also needed to prove incapacity for work. If you also obtain a backdated medical certificate for 28 weeks then this benefit can be paid immediately.

This benefit can be claimed from the 16th birthday.

Incapacity Benefit can be claimed in this way, even if still in education. For those aged 16,17 or 18, this benefit can be paid if:

• the person studies for less than 21 hours a week; or
  
  

• if the education exceeds 21 hours, the extra hours of study would not be “suitable for persons of the same age and sex who do not suffer from a physical or mental disability.”

If a young person claims Incapacity Benefit in this way, any claim for Child Benefit made in respect of them must cease.

It may also be possible for a young person, claiming this benefit, to also receive Income Support (IS). This is a means-tested benefit and other income (except for Disability Living Allowance) and capital in excess of £3,000 can affect the amount of IS payable.

It is advisable to get detailed advice from a Neighbourhood Office or Citizens Advice Bureau before making a claim.