Welfare weasel

Independent DWP benefits’ advice

Jon Burke Julian Housing Support Trust

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New Employment and Support Allowance introduced

The Employment and Support Allowance [ESA] is a new benefit that replaces Incapacity Benefit and Income Support for new claimants who are incapable of work, from the end of October 2008.

If you already claim Incapacity Benefit or Income Support you will stay on these benefits and the changes will not effect you.

Whilst ESA brings welcome changes it also introduces some new rules.

The main difference with ESA is that both Incapacity Benefit and Income Support for people with disabilities have been incorporated into one new, single benefit with two components.

There is contribution–related ESA [ESA [IR]] which replaces Incapacity Benefit and to qualify you must have paid sufficient national insurance contributions or qualify under the ‘youth’ rules.

Income Support is replaced by ESA income–based [ESA [IB]] and to qualify you have to fulfil the means test, which is similar to the rules for Income Support. ESA [IB] can top–up ESA [IR] just like Income Support can be paid alongside Incapacity Benefit.

When you first claim ESA you will enter the assessment phase which lasts for 13 weeks. During this time the Department for Work and Pensions assesses your capability for work. During this phase you will be paid at a reduced rate of benefit but all Income Support premiums can be paid except the disability premium, which no longer exists under ESA.

Once the assessment phase ends you will be placed in one of two groups; either the Support Group or the Work Related Activity Group. The support group is designed only for whom the government class as the most disabled, a stringent test needs to be passed to gain eligibility. If you enter the support group you will get an extra £29 per week and be exempt from any work focused activity.

For the majority of claimants it is expected that they will fall into the Work Related Activity Group where a less rigorous test is required [but still significantly harder than the existing test]. In this group you will get an extra £24 per week and need to undergo various work focused interviews and associated activity.

The advantages to ESA are that it simplifies the benefit system and makes it more logical and coherent. It also has benefits with regard to positive changes to permitted work, extended linking rules and a shorter assessment phase but all of these are forfeited by introducing harsher and at times illogical tests for work capability that I fear will see many claimants loosing entitlement to ESA altogether with many having to go to sign–on for Job Seekers Allowance.

More detailed aspects of ESA will be covered in later articles. If you have any questions or concerns contact a specialist independent advice agency.

Infolink: Julian Housing Support Trust, 1a Oak Street, Norwich NR3 3AE. Telephone: 01603 767718. A registered charity providing housing and outreach support to enable people to live independently in the community.

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