The end of Incapacity Benefit for new claimants and the start of employment support

27 October 2008

Today marks the end of Incapacity Benefit for new claimants and the era of writing people off and marks the dawn of a new benefit, Employment and Support Allowance, designed to give people the support they need to improve their health, their skills and look for work.

The new Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is tailor made for disabled people and people with ill-health and is part of the Government's radical welfare reforms, which aim to get 1 million people off incapacity benefits by 2015.

From today new claimants who cannot work due to ill-health or disability will be able to claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).

Within weeks of making a claim, customers will have their capability assessed by an expert health professional through the new Work Capability Assessment.  The new assessment is designed to look at what people can do rather than what they can't - and will ensure that those who can work are given the help and support they need to get back to work and will make sure that no-one is  written off and consigned to a life on benefits.

People who are assessed as having the severest disabilities or health conditions will go into the 'support group' and get more money - the poorest of receiving a minimum of £102.10 per week. Everyone else will go into the 'work group.'

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, James Purnell said:

"In the 1990s people were written off on Incapacity benefit with no help to overcome their problems or support to get them into work. It is even more important during an economic downturn that we increase support for people not take it away."

 "The introduction of Employment and Support Allowance, which marks a significant landmark for the delivery of our welfare reforms, will offer the help and support disabled people and people with ill health are telling us they want in order for them to get back to work." 

Employment and Support Allowance replaces Incapacity Benefit and Income Support on the grounds of incapacity for new claimants only.  Incapacity Benefit and Income Support continue in payment for existing customers.

ESA claimants who are assessed as being able to prepare for work, will be required to engage in a back to work programme and assigned a personal adviser who will help them overcome any specific barriers to work, including having a skills check and getting involved in work experience opportunities.   People identified as being in the 'support group' can engage with these back to work programmes on a voluntary basis.

Notes

1. From 27 October 2008 Employment and Support Allowance will apply to new customers, replacing Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid on incapacity grounds. Existing customers will initially continue to receive their existing benefits, so long as they continue to satisfy the entitlement conditions.
2. In Great Britain, over 2.6 million people depend on incapacity benefits, and yet nine out of ten new customers tell us that they want to return to work. With the introduction of Employment and Support Allowance we are improving the package of support to help people return to the workplace. Employment and Support Allowance builds on the New Deal for Disabled People, and Pathways to Work which provide the practical support needed to help customers into work. There is also evidence which shows being out of work can contribute to poor health, whereas being in work can deliver real benefits, not only financially, but in terms of people's health and well-being, their self-esteem and the future prospects for themselves and their family.
3. From 27 October 2008 most customers making a new claim for Employment and Support Allowance will have a Work Capability Assessment.
4. When someone applies for Employment and Support Allowance they will enter a 13-week assessment phase. The Work Capability Assessment will take place during this period.
5. The Work Capability Assessment is a face to face meeting, lasting up to 75 minutes, which will explore how an individual's illness or disability affects their ability to work and carry out day-to-day activity. The Work Capability Assessment is made up of three parts and will assess what someone is able to do, rather than simply what they cannot.
6. Further information about Employment and Support Allowance can be found at www.dwp.gov.uk/esa/

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