§ Mr. FearnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what arrangements exist for the provision of invalidity benefits to all categories of dental staff affected by occupational disease; what is the level of benefits; and how they are calculated.
§ Mr. ScottWhen they are sick and incapable of work, dental staff qualify for invalidity benefit under the same rules that apply to all employed and self-employed people. Invalidity pension becomes payable when sickness benefit and/or statutory sick pay has been paid for 28 weeks and incapacity is still continuing. It consists of a basic flat rate amount, currently £43.60 per week, plus an earnings-related element based on the claimant's earnings on which he has paid national insurance contributions since April 1978. Increases for an adult or child dependants are payable as appropriate. In addition, an invalidity allowance based on the claimant's age when his incapacity began may also be payable. Where there is title to both the invalidity allowance and the additional earnings-related pension, an amount equal to the higher of the two amounts is payable. The cause of incapacity for work does not affect either the title to or level of invalidity benefit.