Regional Legal Services
Legal Services
INFORMATION SHEET
HOW TO CLAIM SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
IF YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT AT WORK, DEVELOP AN INDUSTRIAL DISEASE OR ARE INVOLVED IN A ROAD TRAFFIC ACCIDENT YOU MAY BE ENTITLED T0 BENEFITS FROM THE BENEFITS AGENCY.
REPORT YOUR ACCIDENT OR ILLNESS IMMEDIATELY TO YOUR EMPLOYER. - It is important that you report your accident to the DSS by completing their form B195 asking them for a declaration that you had an accident or illness at work. This may cut down delays if you claim benefits at a later date.
STATUTORY SICK PAY - When you are first off sick you should claim SSP front your employer. If you have not already done so you should make a claim immediately, Your employer may require the claim to he made in a particular way and may require medical evidence such as a self-certificate or a doctors certificate. If you are not entitled to SSP you may be entitled to incapacity benefit. You should complete the back of your sick note and send it to your local DSS office along with a covering letter saying you wish to claim for Incapacity Benefit.
DISABLEMENT BENEF1T - If you are still suffering from your injury in any way after nine weeks you should make a claim for Disablement Benefit. You can claim this even if you have resumed to work and even if you are earning full or reduced wages. The amount of benefit you receive will depend on the assessment of your disability by a DSS medical board. If the assessment is less than 14% you will receive no DSS benefit. To make a claim you should go to your local DSS office. They will give you a form BI1OOA to complete. Later you will be asked to attend a medical board. Please send us the details of your assessment including if possible a copy of form BI132 which you will receive from the DSS.
INCAPACITY BENEFIT- if you are still away from work after 28 weeks you will stop getting SSP and instead you should be entitled to Incapacity Benefit from the DSS application form SSP1. If your claim for Incapacity Benefit is disallowed please tell us immediately.
DISABILITY LIVING ALLOWANCE - Disability Living Allowance is a tax free benefit aimed at people who need help in caring for themselves or with household tasks such as cooking and/or people who find it difficult to get around. It is a non-rneans tested benefit and is not dependent upon the payment of National Insurance contributions.
DSS RECOVERY OF BENEFITS - The law may require DSS benefits you receive to be repaid from your compensation. The solicitor dealing with your case can explain how this may, affect you.
