You Could Be Eligible for Up to £11,715 a Year from the DWP

A lesser-known government benefit could provide up to £11,715 annually to individuals who’ve suffered a work-related illness or injury — and it’s open to people of all ages.

The Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) offers £225.30 per week, nearly equivalent to the full new state pension. Unlike many other benefits, there’s no age requirement — the key qualification is that the applicant became disabled due to an accident at work, while on a training course, or developed one of 70 recognized occupational diseases.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) explains that the Industrial Injuries Scheme provides non-contributory, no-fault compensation for workers disabled by job-related incidents or exposure to certain hazardous environments. It also applies to individuals on government-approved training programs who have developed one of the listed medical conditions.

To receive the benefit, applicants undergo a medical assessment to determine their level of disablement, rated on a scale from 0 to 100%. A minimum of 14% is required to qualify. Payments scale accordingly — for example, someone assessed at 100% would receive the full weekly payment of £225.30, while a 50% rating would receive £112.65 weekly.

Conditions that Qualify for Payment

Eligible conditions include, but are not limited to:

• Asthma

• Chronic bronchitis or emphysema (COPD)

• Hearing loss

• Pneumoconiosis (including silicosis and asbestosis)

• Osteoarthritis of the knee (in coal miners)

• Vibration White Finger (Prescribed Disease A11)

• Dupuytren’s contracture

The scheme also covers asbestos-related diseases, including:

• Asbestosis

• Diffuse mesothelioma

• Primary lung cancer with or without asbestosis, when linked to prolonged asbestos exposure

• Pleural thickening (unilateral or bilateral)

The Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit aims to provide financial support without the need for employees to prove fault, offering vital assistance to those who have suffered due to hazardous work conditions or environments.