About changes to benefits

There has been a lot of publicity recently about the changes to Incapacity Benefit and some other benefits. But what does it all mean for you?

If you are on Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, and/or receive Income Support as a result of illness or disability

The changes the Government are making mean that Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, and Income Support that Is paid because of an illness or a disability are being phased out. People who are currently on these benefits will be re-assessed to find out what benefits they will be able to claim in the future as an alternative.

If this applies to you, JobCentre Plus will get in touch with you to let you know when your claim is being reviewed. This will happen sometime between October 2010 and the end of 2014. People who get re-assessed will be put on either Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA). This depends on an assessment of readiness for work.

We have a guide to the stages the assessment process will follow - please click here to view it. (ADD LINK TO PROCESS IMAGE - TO BE OTHERWISE INVISIBLE)

For more details about the changes to Incapacity Benefit, SDA and Income Support on the Government's website, please click here.

After re-assessment

If you are re-assessed and put on Employment and Support Allowance, you will probably be expected to take some steps towards becoming more ready for work. If you are put on Job Seeker's Allowance, you will be expected to actively look for work or be taking steps to become ready for work, and to be available for work if a job comes up.

If you are in drug or alcohol treatment and you tell your JobCentre Plus advisor that you are, they can take this into account. In many cases, activity related to drug and/or alcohol treatment can count as 'taking steps to become ready for work', and you may find that less additional action is required of you if your advisor knows about your treatment. You can also give your drug or alcohol worker permission to communicate with JobCentre Plus on your behalf.

It is also possible for your JobCentre Plus advisor to refer you into drug or alcohol treatment if you are not in treatment already. To find out more about how treatment services and JobCentre Plus can work together to benefit you, click here.

There is a lot of information about benefits on the Government's Directgov website.

For more information about Job Seeker's Allowance (JSA) click here.

For more information about Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) click here.

For information about benefits in general, click here.