Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit: who qualifies and how to claim

By Chris Salmon | Updated: September 16, 2025

If you have been injured at work or developed an illness caused by your job, you may qualify for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB). This state benefit provides financial support if your condition was caused by an accident at work or by a recognised industrial disease.

At a glance

IIDB is a tax-free benefit for workers injured in an accident at work or who develop an industrial disease.
You may qualify if your disability is assessed at 14% or more.
The benefit amount depends on your level of disablement.
You can claim IIDB alongside other benefits, including Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

What is Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit?

IIDB is a government benefit for employees who become disabled because of an accident at work or because of certain recognised occupational diseases. It is designed to provide regular financial support for people whose ability to work has been permanently affected.

More detail is available on the official government website.

Who can claim IIDB?

You may qualify if:

You were employed (not self-employed) at the time of the accident or exposure.
Your disability has lasted for at least 15 weeks after the accident.
Your level of disablement is assessed at 14% or more.

You may also qualify if you developed one of the prescribed industrial diseases such as mesothelioma, pneumoconiosis, or vibration white finger.

How disablement is assessed

The extent of your disablement is measured as a percentage. A medical examiner, appointed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), will assess how your injury or illness affects your ability to work and carry out daily activities.

If you are assessed at 14% disablement or more, you may receive IIDB.
The benefit is paid at different weekly rates depending on whether your disablement is partial or total (100%).

How much IIDB will I receive?

The amount you receive depends on your assessed level of disablement. The benefit is paid weekly, and the rates are set by the government. For example, someone with a 100% disablement may receive the full weekly rate, while someone assessed at 20% would receive 20% of the full amount.

At the time of writing, IIDB payments are:

Assessed level of disablement	Weekly amount
100%	£225.30
90%	£202.77
80%	£180.24
70%	£157.71
60%	£135.18
50%	£112.65
40%	£90.12
30%	£67.59
20%	£45.06

Current rates are published on the gov.uk benefits page.

How to claim IIDB

You can apply for IIDB by completing a claim form and sending it to the Industrial Injuries Disablement Centre. The form is available to download from the government website or by calling the IIDB helpline to request one.

When applying, you will need to provide:

Your National Insurance number.
Details of your accident or illness.
Medical evidence relating to your condition.

The DWP will usually invite you to attend a medical examination to confirm your level of disablement.

Can I claim IIDB alongside other benefits?

Yes. IIDB can be claimed alongside other benefits such as:

IIDB is not affected by income or savings and is not means-tested.

If your claim is refused

If your application for IIDB is refused, you have the right to ask for a mandatory reconsideration. If you are still unhappy with the decision, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. A welfare adviser or Citizens Advice can help guide you through the process.

Key takeaways

IIDB is for employees injured at work or suffering from certain occupational diseases.
You must be assessed at 14% disablement or more to qualify.
The amount paid depends on your level of disablement and is not means-tested.
You can apply online or by post, and you may need to attend a medical assessment.

External references

GOV.UK: Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit - provides detailed information on eligibility, application process, and benefits for work-related injuries or diseases.
GOV.UK: Compensation Recovery Unit - explains how Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit interacts with compensation payments for workplace injuries.
Citizens Advice: Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit - offers practical guidance on applying for IIDB and understanding its impact on other benefits.
HSE: Workplace injury statistics - provides data on workplace injuries and diseases, relevant for understanding conditions covered by IIDB.

About the author

Chris Salmon is a legal commentator and co-founder of Quittance Legal Services. He has written extensively about workplace accidents, employment rights and the claims process. Chris's work has been cited in national media and he regularly contributes practical guidance to help injured workers understand their options.

More about Chris and WAAC

Last reviewed September 2025 by Chris Salmon

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