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This fact sheet will give you some basic information about industrial injuries disablement benefit. You can also listen to it online or download it onto an MP3 player.

Please be aware that this is not legal advice and if you are concerned about any of the issues mentioned you should speak to a lawyer.

You can contact Russell Jones & Walker's solicitors at enquiries@rjw.co.uk or call our freephone number 0800 916 9065.

• What is industrial injuries disablement benefit?
• What sort of accidents does it cover?
• What happens if I apply for this benefit?
• What about psychiatric injuries or stress?
• What are the diseases covered by the scheme?
• How do I apply?

What is industrial injuries disablement benefit?

If you are injured in an accident at work, you might be able to get industrial injuries disablement benefit. You can also get it for certain specified diseases caused by work. This benefit is not means tested and it's tax free. You apply for it through you local Jobcentre Plus office.

What sort of accidents does it cover?

The law doesn�??t specify the sort of accident and it can be anything from suffering a heart attack when lifting a heavy item, to being traumatised by hostile and abusive comments.

For it to be an industrial accident, it must have happened in the course of your employment. But you don't have to be in your workplace, for example, you could be driving for work or working at home. You might even be covered if you were injured while doing something related to your work, such as having a tea break.

What happens if I apply for this benefit?

If you are injured in an accident at work, you might be able to get industrial injuries disablement benefit.

Once it's been agreed that your injury was caused by an industrial accident, a doctor will assess the percentage level of your disability. To get benefits, you will need to have 14 per cent disability. Some injuries have fixed levels, for example, losing a thumb is 30 per cent or an arm is 90 per cent.

The amount you will get depends on the degree of disability. It ranges from just over £26 per week for 14 per cent, to nearly £132 if you have 100 per cent.

The levels for more than one injury can be added together, so if you have a back injury at 4 per cent and a neck injury at 10 per cent, these can be added together to make the 14 per cent needed.

Also, if your injury gets worse, it can be reassessed.

What about psychiatric injuries or stress?

These are also covered, even if you don't have a physical injury as well. For example, a police officer who attended the horrific aftermath of IRA bombings received benefits for a mental breakdown caused by the trauma of being there.

Injuries caused by stress at work can be more difficult because "occupational stress" is not a disease covered by the scheme. So you would have to prove your condition was caused by an accident or series of accidents. But stress at work is normally a gradual process, not something caused by one incident, making it difficult to claim this benefit.

What are the diseases covered by the scheme?

You can get this benefit if you are suffering from one of about 70 specified conditions. These include hearing loss caused by noise, mesothelioma from being in contact with asbestos, even allergic rhinitis suffered by hairdressers.

This list of diseases covered by the scheme also includes the kinds of jobs covered. This isn't an exhaustive list and you may be able to claim if your job isn't listed.

How do I apply?

You can get the application form from your local Jobcentre Plus office or download it from their website, jobcentreplus.gov.uk.

You can apply any time after your accident happened, even years. But there are some time limits for certain of the diseases covered. For example, you have to apply within ten years if you have occupational asthma.

You won't get any benefit for the first 90 days of disability following your accident or the onset of disease. Your benefit can be backdated for up to three months from the date of your application.

If your application is rejected, or if you don't agree with the level of disability, you can appeal. But there are strict time limits for this.