Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit medical assessments
You may be eligible for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) if you are ill or disabled because of an accident or event that happened in connection with your work, or if you have a disease that is linked with your employment. The amount received depends on your individual circumstances.
For more information on what you’ll get and what illnesses are included go to the Government website.
What to expect – select one of the options below to skip to the relevant section:
You’ll need to fill in and post a claim form. The form comes with notes that will help you fill it in and tell you where to send it or you can hand it in to your nearest Jobs and Benefits offices. You’ll need to use a different form depending on whether you’re claiming for:
Go to the NI Direct website to download the appropriate form:
After you send your form your claim will be assessed using the information provided, or at a face-to-face medical assessment.
The Health Assessment Advisory Service (HAAS) will contact you if you need a face-to-face or video medical assessment. They’ll send you information about what to expect at the appointment.
You will not need to attend a face-to-face assessment if you are nearing the end of life or you have any of the following diseases:
- diffuse mesothelioma
- angiosarcoma of the liver due to exposure to vinyl chloride monomer
- primary carcinoma of the bronchus or lung through exposure to arsenic
- primary carcinoma of the bronchus or lung through exposure to Nickel/Nickel compounds
- primary carcinoma of the lung where there is accompanying evidence of asbestosis
- primary carcinoma of the lung, through exposure to asbestos
- primary carcinoma of the lung, linked to tin and other specified chemicals or work with coke ovens
- primary carcinoma of the lung where there is accompanying silicosis
Functional assessors
All of our assessors for IIDB are fully qualified Doctors and specialist physiotherapists. They need to maintain their registration with their professional body while they’re with us.
What should I do before my video call?
What you need for your assessment:
1
A desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone that has a front-facing camera, speakers, and a microphone
2
A good, stable internet connection. If you can watch a video online without any problems, your internet connection should be suitable for a video assessment.
3
A private, well-lit area where you will not be disturbed
And one of these browsers:
1
Safari (Apple computer, iPad or iPhone)
2
Google Chrome (Windows computer or Android tablet/smartphone)
3
Microsoft Edge (Windows computer)
Find more information about what you will need for your video assessment.
If you’re using a Samsung mobile phone for your video assessment, you may have an issue with your browser. If you see the error screen, please copy and paste the link to the waiting room into Google Chrome. If you do not already have Google Chrome, you can download it. You could also try using a different device, if you have one.
If you do not have one or more of the above, or your health condition or disability means that you are not able to take part in a video assessment, please contact us straight away. This is so that we can discuss the best way to carry out your assessment.
Check your device is set up correctly
It is useful to check that your device is set up correctly before your video assessment. Test your device.
If your device is set up correctly, you will see the screen saying 'You are ready to make calls'.
If we notice that something isn't quite right, you may see the ‘Testing in progress’ screen.
This is usually easy to fix. Find more information on how to get your device ready for your video assessment.
You may be asked to have an assessment to assess the level of disability that has arisen because of your accident or disease. This will be done by our functional assessor.
The functional assessor will take your statement about the relevant accident or illness, including any treatment because of this and the limitations that have arisen. The statement will then be read back to you for agreement.
You can bring extra information or medical evidence to the assessment to assist the Functional assessor with their report. A companion can also attend for support and can supply information.
The functional assessor may need to undertake a physical examination. If so, your verbal consent will be needed before any examination takes place. You are only encouraged to do as much of the examination as you feel comfortable with unaided. The examination is designed to assess your function and is not the same as an examination in a diagnostic or treatment setting. You will not need to remove items of intimate clothing.
Mental state assessments are performed by observation against medically accepted criteria.
Once the functional assessor has gathered all the relevant information, your examination ends. They will then spend time evaluating it so that they can complete the remainder of the Assessment Report. They will provide information to DfC on the level of disability that has arisen from the accident or disease.
