Benefits You Can Claim After a Work Accident

Updated: 7 Oct, 2025
By Chris Salmon

If you have been injured at work, you may be entitled to financial support while you recover. This page gives a clear overview of the main benefits and allowances, how they fit together, and what to do first. It links to detailed guides for each benefit so you can dive deeper when needed.

At a glance

• Check your immediate entitlement to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or company sick pay.
• If SSP ends or you cannot get it, consider New Style ESA and/or Universal Credit.
• If your injury or disease was caused by work, you may also qualify for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB).
• If daily living or mobility is affected for 3+ months, consider Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
• Keep fit notes, medical records and evidence of costs from day one.

What benefits can I claim after a work accident?

Depending on your situation, you may be able to claim one or more of the following. Use this page as an overview, then follow the links to detailed guides:

• Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and company sick pay
• New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Universal Credit (UC)
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Access to Work, Council Tax Reduction, Carer’s Allowance and other support

External guidance and official application pages are linked in the final section of this guide. Always check GOV.UK for the latest rules and rates, as these change regularly.

Quick comparison of common benefits

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) and company sick pay

SSP is paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks if you meet the eligibility rules (including minimum earnings and being off sick for at least 4 consecutive days). Some employers also offer company sick pay under your contract, which can be more generous.

• Ask HR or payroll to confirm whether you qualify and the current rate.
• Provide fit notes promptly to avoid gaps in payment.
• If SSP ends or you are not eligible, consider New Style ESA and/or Universal Credit.

Find out more: Statutory Sick Pay.

New Style ESA

New Style ESA is a contribution-based benefit for people who cannot work due to illness or disability and have paid sufficient recent National Insurance (NI). It can continue after SSP ends, and it can be claimed alongside some Universal Credit claims.

• You will usually have a Work Capability Assessment.
• Payments and duration depend on your assessment outcome.

Find out more: Employment and Support Allowance.

Universal Credit (UC)

UC supports living costs if you have a low income or cannot work. It is means-tested, and savings, partner income and compensation payments can affect entitlement.

• You may need fit notes and a Work Capability Assessment to add a health-related element.
• Report any compensation or interim payments promptly to avoid overpayments.

Find out more: Universal Credit.

Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)

IIDB is for disablement caused by an accident at work or a prescribed industrial disease. It is non-means-tested and tax-free. A DWP medical adviser assesses your level of disablement (percentage-based). Some injuries qualify only if disablement is assessed at 14% or more.

• Evidence of the accident and medical impact is essential.
• You can claim IIDB even if you are also pursuing an injury compensation claim.

Find out more: IIDB.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

PIP helps with extra costs if your injury affects daily living and/or mobility for at least 3 months and is expected to continue for at least 9 months. It is not means-tested and is based on how your condition affects you, not the diagnosis itself.

• Keep a diary of how symptoms affect cooking, washing, dressing, moving around, and communicating.
• PIP can be paid whether you are in work or not.

Find pout more: Personal Independence Payment.

Other helpful support

• Access to Work: grants for workplace adjustments, travel to work or support workers if your injury affects your job. GOV.UK: Access to Work
• Council Tax Reduction: means-tested help from your local authority. GOV.UK: Council Tax Reduction
• Carer’s Allowance: for someone who cares for you if you receive a qualifying disability benefit. GOV.UK: Carer’s Allowance
• Statutory Redundancy Pay / Notice Pay: if employment ends. GOV.UK: Redundancy rights
• Benefit calculators: independent tools to check eligibility and amounts. entitledto and Turn2us

Fit notes, evidence and good record-keeping

• See your GP promptly and keep fit notes up to date.
• Save letters, clinic notes, prescriptions and therapy records.
• Keep a diary of pain, sleep, mobility, mental health and daily living difficulties.
• Retain receipts for travel, prescriptions, equipment and care costs for potential reimbursement.

Helpful guidance: Keeping medical and treatment notes.

How benefits interact with a compensation claim

It is common to claim benefits while also seeking injury compensation from your employer’s insurer. Be aware of the following:

• Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU): some state benefits paid because of an accident can be recovered by the government from the insurer if your claim succeeds. This does not usually reduce your final compensation for pain and suffering but can affect overlapping financial losses.
• Means-tested benefits: savings and lump-sum awards can affect UC and Council Tax Reduction. If you receive a lump sum, get advice about protecting entitlement (for example, through a compensation protection trust).
• Reporting duties: tell DWP/your UC journal about any changes, interim payments or compensation received.

Related reading: What can I claim for? and The claim process.

How to apply and what to do first

1. Report the accident to your employer and get it recorded in the accident book.
2. Get medical help and ask for a fit note if you are unable to work.
3. Check SSP/company sick pay with HR/payroll and send fit notes promptly.
4. Use a calculator (entitledto or Turn2us) to see if you should also claim New Style ESA, UC, PIP or IIDB.
5. Gather evidence (medical records, receipts, mileage) and keep a simple expenses log.
6. Consider a compensation claim if employer negligence caused your injury. We can connect you to a specialist solicitor.

FAQs

New to claims? Start with our work injury claim guide, or see the full work injury claim FAQs.

Will a compensation payout stop my benefits?

It depends. Non-means-tested benefits like PIP and IIDB are not usually affected. Means-tested benefits like UC may be, depending on the amount you receive and your savings. Get advice before accepting a lump sum.

Can I claim PIP if I am still employed?

Yes. PIP is about how your condition affects daily living and mobility, not whether you are working.

Can I get IIDB and also claim compensation?

Yes. IIDB is separate from a civil claim. If your claim succeeds, the insurer may have to repay certain state benefits to the CRU, not you.

Where do I find current rates?

Check the official GOV.UK pages linked below. Rates change regularly each April.

Related reading

• Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)
• New Style ESA
• Universal Credit after injury
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• PIP after a work injury

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 October 2025 by Chris Salmon

External references

• GOV.UK: Statutory Sick Pay (current rules and rates)
• GOV.UK: Employment and Support Allowance
• GOV.UK: Universal Credit
• GOV.UK: Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• GOV.UK: Personal Independence Payment
• GOV.UK: Access to Work
• entitledto: Benefit calculator
• Turn2us: Benefit calculator