What benefits can I Claim for Asbestos illness?

If you’re living with asbestos could be able to claim a wide range of state benefits. This money can help you and your family following a diagnosis, where you are already dealing with the physical and emotional impact of your condition.

Our asbestos lawyers have decades of experience getting people access to the benefits to which they are entitled.

Can I claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)?

If you’ve been diagnosed with an asbestos-related illness you may be able to claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB). This benefit can be claimed if your condition causes you disability in some way.

IIDB can be paid, even if your asbestos-related illness is non-life threatening. Conditions that are eligible include:

• Mesothelioma
• Asbestos-related lung cancer
• Asbestosis
• Pleural thickening

This benefit is paid as a weekly pension – and can be paid for life. The amount you receive will depend on the severity of your condition, but mesothelioma is automatically assessed at the maximum amount, currently £188.60 per week (correct as of March 2023).

Rates start at the lowest level for IIDB at £37.72 per week

You can claim Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit even if you are claiming compensation, and it doesn’t matter whether you’re still working or are retired. IIDB can be backdated for up to 13 weeks.

Claiming IIDB may affect your entitlement to other state benefits, including Income Support, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pension Credit and Housing Benefit, so it’s important to get specialist advice.

How can I claim a lump sum under the Pneumoconiosis (Workers’ Compensation) Act 1979?

If you have mesothelioma and have been awarded Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, you will also be entitled to a lump sum payment. This will either be under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act, or the Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme.

To qualify for a payment under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers’ Compensation) Act you must meet both of the following criteria:

You may also be able to claim if you are dependent on a loved one who has died from an asbestos-related disease. However, this claim must be made within 12 months of their death.

We can advise you on making a claim under this scheme.

How can I make a claim under the Mesothelioma Scheme?

You may be entitled to a lump sum under the 2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme. This was set up to cover those who were not eligible to make a compensation claim from their employers.

You may be able to claim through the 2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme if you were exposed to asbestos:

• If your employer did not have insurance and no longer exists.
• If you do not know where the exposure took place
• You were exposed, 2^nd hand for example  through washing your husband's clothes
• Were self-employed
• Living near a site where asbestos was manufactured or used

The amount paid depends on a number of factors including your age.  We can explain how much you may be entitled to. Call our friendly experts at Corries Solicitors at 0800 083 7839.