Employment and Support Allowance
From 27 October 2008, Employment and Support Allowance replaced Incapacity Benefit and Income Support claimed on the grounds of incapacity for new customers. The new system considers what an individual is capable of, and what help and support they need to manage their condition and return to work.
The Government proposes transferring all existing incapacity benefits customers to Employment and Support Allowance by 2013. Cash levels of existing benefits will be protected. We have begun the process of aligning the rates of incapacity benefit with ESA for those receiving age additions.
Work Capability Assessment
A new test, the Work Capability Assessment, was introduced in October 2008 for Employment and Support Allowance claims and is applied to all those people claiming the allowance. It assesses what an individual can do – rather than what they can’t do. The assessment looks at people’s physical and mental ability, including conditions such as learning disabilities and other similar conditions.
Following this assessment most individuals will be given support and employment advice to enable them to return to work where possible.
People whose condition causes very severe limitation of their ability, who are not able to engage in any work-related activity, will get a higher rate of benefit. They will still be able to volunteer to get support and employment advice if they want to.
From 2010, this new, more accurate Work Capability Assessment will begin to be applied to existing incapacity benefits customers.
This measure is part of The Welfare Reform Act 2007.
The Government has signalled its intention to undertake further welfare reform, as set out in the White Paper “Raising expectations and increasing support: reforming welfare for the future”. This work is being taken forward through the Welfare Reform Bill 2009.
- Realising potential: A vision for personalised conditionality and support
- Welfare Reform Bill (Parliament website)
Further details on the support available to people on incapacity benefits can be found at Pathways to Work.
