| "body"> | | | | working whileclaiming – you may be allowed to |
| If you’re incapacitated for any reason and are | | | | work up to 16 hours a week or earn asmall income, |
| unable to work, you mayqualify to receive certain | | | | depending on the nature of the job. If you do |
| benefits from the government to assist you. | | | | work,though, you may be required to pay income tax. |
| This is one of a series of guides to government | | | | NHS costs – most of the treatments provided on |
| benefits, in whichyou’ll find practical information | | | | the NHS arefree, but there are some that you must |
| on the range of benefits that may beavailable to you. | | | | pay towards. If you’re on a lowincome or unable |
| Statutory sick pay – this benefit is paid to people | | | | to work, you may be able to apply for free treatment. |
| who arein employment but are unable to work due to | | | | This includes dentistry, prescriptions, travel to and from |
| illness. It’s currentlypaid at £70.05 per | | | | hospital,eye tests, vouchers for glasses and contact |
| week for up to 28 weeks of illness, and can beclaimed | | | | lenses, wigs and supports. |
| after four or more consecutive days of being sick. (If | | | | Again, you won’t be eligible if you have more |
| you’restill unwell after 28 weeks, you can apply | | | | than £16,000 insavings. |
| for incapacity benefit.) Toclaim statutory sick pay, | | | | Community care grant – this is a sum of money |
| you’ll need to inform your employer (eitherby | | | | awarded topeople who need help to live independently |
| phone or in writing – you don’t have to | | | | in the community. You canapply for it if you are |
| speak to them in person)within one week of falling ill. | | | | receiving other benefits such as |
| Some employers offer their own sick payschemes | | | | jobseeker’sallowance or incapacity benefit. It can |
| instead of statutory sick pay. Check your terms and | | | | help people who need financialsupport after leaving |
| conditionsof employment. | | | | care, or who need financial support [ so thatthey |
| Incapacity benefit – if you have an illness or injury | | | | don’t have to move into care. In some |
| andhave been unable to work 28 weeks or more, and | | | | circumstances, people who havegone through a |
| or your statutory sickpay period has ended, you may | | | | difficult period in their lives or have suffered afamily |
| be eligible for incapacity benefit. Therate increases the | | | | breakdown may be eligible, and it may also be granted |
| longer you receive this benefit, currently going upto | | | | to peoplewho care for someone else. If you have |
| £78.50 per week for long-term illness or injury | | | | savings of over £500 (orover £1,000 if |
| (over 52 weeks ofincapacity). When you apply, either | | | | you’re over 60) you may not qualify for the |
| online or at your local jobcentreplus, you’ll be | | | | fullamount. The grant will be paid into your bank |
| asked to go for a personal capability assessment | | | | account as a lump sum. |
| andyou may need a medical examination by a doctor. | | | | You won’t be required to pay it back and it |
| If you’re deemedeligible, you’ll receive | | | | isn’t considered as income,so it won’t |
| flat-rate weekly payments directly into yourbank | | | | affect any other benefits you receive or apply for. |
| account. You’re not automatically barred from | | | | Apply for it atyour local jobcentre plus. |