27 October 2008
Jocelyn Dorrell

A new benefits system for sick and disabled people, which will see incapacity benefit replaced with a new employment and support allowance (ESA), comes into force today (27 October).

The government says the launch of the new system marks the end of "the era of writing people off" and forms part of a range of welfare reforms that aim to get a million people off benefit by 2015. But critics are warning that the new benefit could leave some claimants worse off, especially as rising unemployment makes the jobs market tougher.

Under ESA rules, new claimants will undergo a work capability assessment, which will identify what work they can do so they can get the help and support they need to return to work.

People with severe disabilities or ill health will go into the "support group", which offers the highest benefits. Others will go into the "work group" where they will be required to join a back-to-work programme with the support of a personal adviser and work experience opportunities. People in the support group can join a work programme if they want to.

Secretary of state for work and pensions James Purnell said the new system "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."

The charity Disability Alliance expressed concern that some new claimants would end up with lower payments, but said it hoped that moves to offer disabled people support to stay in work would be successful.

A spokesperson said: "The need for personalised, tailored, employment support that actively assists disabled people to overcome barriers to work will be key and we will be closely monitoring the effectiveness of this provision."

Categories:
Disability Discrimination Act, Sickness absence, News, Mental health



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