§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received concerning the eligibility for higher rate incapacity benefit of service personnel who are on sick leave when discharged. [80698]
§ Mr. BayleyI have been asked to reply.
402WNo such representations have been received
On discharge from the forces, former service personnel who are sick or disabled can claim Incapacity Benefit. The short-term higher rate of Incapacity Benefit is payable after 28 weeks and the long-term rate after 52 weeks.
Periods of sickness before discharge do not count towards the qualifying periods for the higher rates of Incapacity Benefit. Rules do, however, protect potential entitlement to the age addition payable with long-term Incapacity Benefit. For former members of the forces, it is the earliest date that the person became sick that is relevant in deciding entitlement to the age addition.