33% of People on UK Incapacity Benefits Capable of Working

Over 603,000 people on incapacity benefits have been reassessed since 2010 with nearly one in every three - almost 180,000 people - now no longer eligible for sickness benefits. They will now get long term help from Jobcentre Plus and the Work Program to find a job which is right for them.

The Incapacity Benefit is a United Kingdom state benefit paid to those below the State Pension age who cannot work because of illness or disability and have made National Insurance contributions (Now replaced with Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)). Incapacity Benefit is only paid to existing claimants who were unable to work because of illness or disability before 31 January 2011. New claimants from 1st February 2011 receive Employment and Support Allowance. Between October 2010 and Spring 2014 customers who receive Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance and Income Support paid on the grounds of illness or disability will be assessed for Employment and Support Allowance. The following benefits are being phased out: Incapacity Benefit; Income Support paid because of an illness or disability; Severe Disablement Allowance. Incapacity Benefit is usually stopped if you start work, but check with your local Jobcentre Plus office for up-to-date rules. You can do a small amount of permitted work without your benefits being affected.

Nearly a third of people on the old incapacity benefits have been found to be capable of some form of work since reassessment began, figures published 29 January 2013 show.

Just over two thirds of people who were claiming the old incapacity benefits are eligible for Employment and Support Allowance, with 27% put in the support group where they get unconditional support as they are too ill or disabled to work.

A further 41% were put in the Work Related Activity Group, meaning they are currently too ill or disabled to work and entitled to the benefit, but will be expected to take steps towards an eventual return to work when they are able.

The Department is now more than half way through the reassessment of 1.5m incapacity benefits claimants through the Work Capability Assessment, although today's figures only show the outcome of those cases up to May 2012.

Mark Hoban, Minister for Employment, said:

"Now we are over half way through the reassessment process it is clear that the old system condemned tens of thousands of people to a life on benefits with little help to move back to work.

"Now people who can work will be given help to find a job, while those who need unconditional support will get it.

"Getting the Work Capability Assessment right first time is my absolute priority and we have made considerable improvements to the process to ensure it is as fair and accurate as possible."

Outcomes of initial assessments (adjusted to account for outcomes after appeals) for incapacity benefits claimants referred for reassessment between October 2010 and May 2012 show:

• 68 per cent of claimants were entitled to the benefit. Within this
• 41 per cent of claimants were placed in the Work Related Activity Group
• 27 per cent of claimants were placed in the Support Group
• 32 per cent of claimants were assessed as Fit for Work and are not entitled to ESA.

The Work Program is designed to help people like those who are reassessed and found fit for work. It offers longer term support over two years for people who are furthest away from the jobs market and who need the most help to eventually move into work.

1 - The reassessment of around 1.5 million existing incapacity benefits claimants commenced on 11 October 2010 with a trial in the Burnley and Aberdeen areas. At the end of February 2011, Jobcentre Plus started a limited introductory phase. Full national reassessment process began in 4 April 2011. The process is expected to take three years to complete.

2 - Quarterly statistics 'Employment and Support Allowance - Incapacity Benefits Reassessments: Outcomes of Work Capability Assessments, Great Britain' is available here: research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/workingage/index.phppage=esa_ibr

3 - Old incapacity benefits are: Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance and Income Support paid on grounds of incapacity.