Menu
28/10/2008
All Change On NI Sickness Benefits
People who are unable to work through long-term illness are facing a shake up in the way their benefits are paid.
This week sees the launch of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), which replaces Incapacity Benefit and Income Support, paid on incapacity grounds - but only for all new claimants, or customers, as they are now known.
ESA aims to provide the poorest, most disabled people in society with more financial support, while providing other disabled and long-term ill people, who could work, with greater help to find employment.
NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said: "Evidence demonstrates a clear link between working and improved health. Employment and Support Allowance is a huge step forward in helping those that are currently unable to work to start back on the path to employment.
"We can provide for those who are able to take steps towards work, we can provide a greater degree of financial support, faster, for those that are too ill to do so," she explained.
Evidence shows that the right type of work can be therapeutic for both mental and physical health problems. It can also help promote recovery, and even improve an individual's condition.
ESA builds on the successful Pathways to Work programme, which has been fully rolled out in Northern Ireland as of April this year, and has helped more than 2,000 people into work.
The Minister said that ESA uses a similar support infrastructure to Pathways to Work and provides customers with personal advisers, in-work support, and assistance in managing illness and disability issues through partnerships with healthcare professionals.
All new claimants will now undergo the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) - a new medical test designed to look at what people can do rather than what they cannot.
ESA claimants will then be split into two groups, depending on the outcome of the assessment covering a 'Work-related activity group', or people who pass the assessment and are identified as capable of taking part in some form of work-related activity will be entitled to claim ESA at a rate of £84.50 a week.
They will be required to attend work-focused interviews through the pioneering Pathways to Work scheme, to help them overcome their barriers to work and support them into long-term sustainable employment.
Secondly, the 'Support Group' will be those identified as not able to take part in any work-related activity (the most severely disabled group) will not be expected to take part in work-focused activities unless they want to, but will not face any sanctions.
"This group with a guaranteed income of £102.10 a week (£17.60 more than the long-term rate of Incapacity Benefit), while everyone else in this category will receive a minimum of £89.50 a week," explained the Minister.
(BMcC)
This week sees the launch of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), which replaces Incapacity Benefit and Income Support, paid on incapacity grounds - but only for all new claimants, or customers, as they are now known.
ESA aims to provide the poorest, most disabled people in society with more financial support, while providing other disabled and long-term ill people, who could work, with greater help to find employment.
NI Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said: "Evidence demonstrates a clear link between working and improved health. Employment and Support Allowance is a huge step forward in helping those that are currently unable to work to start back on the path to employment.
"We can provide for those who are able to take steps towards work, we can provide a greater degree of financial support, faster, for those that are too ill to do so," she explained.
Evidence shows that the right type of work can be therapeutic for both mental and physical health problems. It can also help promote recovery, and even improve an individual's condition.
ESA builds on the successful Pathways to Work programme, which has been fully rolled out in Northern Ireland as of April this year, and has helped more than 2,000 people into work.
The Minister said that ESA uses a similar support infrastructure to Pathways to Work and provides customers with personal advisers, in-work support, and assistance in managing illness and disability issues through partnerships with healthcare professionals.
All new claimants will now undergo the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) - a new medical test designed to look at what people can do rather than what they cannot.
ESA claimants will then be split into two groups, depending on the outcome of the assessment covering a 'Work-related activity group', or people who pass the assessment and are identified as capable of taking part in some form of work-related activity will be entitled to claim ESA at a rate of £84.50 a week.
They will be required to attend work-focused interviews through the pioneering Pathways to Work scheme, to help them overcome their barriers to work and support them into long-term sustainable employment.
Secondly, the 'Support Group' will be those identified as not able to take part in any work-related activity (the most severely disabled group) will not be expected to take part in work-focused activities unless they want to, but will not face any sanctions.
"This group with a guaranteed income of £102.10 a week (£17.60 more than the long-term rate of Incapacity Benefit), while everyone else in this category will receive a minimum of £89.50 a week," explained the Minister.
(BMcC)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 May 2022
Finance Minister To Ensure Energy Payments Are Made In NI
Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, has said that he is committed to working with Treasury to ensure the Energy Bills Support Scheme will provide assistance to citizens here given the absence of an Executive.
Finance Minister To Ensure Energy Payments Are Made In NI
Finance Minister, Conor Murphy, has said that he is committed to working with Treasury to ensure the Energy Bills Support Scheme will provide assistance to citizens here given the absence of an Executive.
25 November 2024
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
Other News In Brief
DfC Launch Public Consultation On Gender Pay Gap A consultation on proposed changes to Section 19 of the Employment Act (Northern Ireland) relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities.
29 July 2003
Social work training to get new funding scheme
Health Minister, Angela Smith has announced a new funding scheme for students planning to study social work in Northern Ireland from September 2004 onwards. Commenting on the scheme, the Minister said it marked a dramatic milestone in the process of reforming professional social work training.
Social work training to get new funding scheme
Health Minister, Angela Smith has announced a new funding scheme for students planning to study social work in Northern Ireland from September 2004 onwards. Commenting on the scheme, the Minister said it marked a dramatic milestone in the process of reforming professional social work training.
24 August 2012
Support For Blind Young People To Work Towards Jobs
Young people who are blind or partially sighted need extra help when it comes to making sure they get through education and have job opportunities. And projects that aim to give them just that extra support have been given a major grant of nearly half a million pounds.
Support For Blind Young People To Work Towards Jobs
Young people who are blind or partially sighted need extra help when it comes to making sure they get through education and have job opportunities. And projects that aim to give them just that extra support have been given a major grant of nearly half a million pounds.
05 September 2011
Job Seekers Helped To Move From Incapacity
Help into employment for those moving from Incapacity Benefit to Employment and Support Allowance has been promised. The NI Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry (pictured here) has pledged to provide advice, support, and help into work, for those moving from Incapacity Benefit or Income Support to the Employment and Support Allowance.
Job Seekers Helped To Move From Incapacity
Help into employment for those moving from Incapacity Benefit to Employment and Support Allowance has been promised. The NI Employment and Learning Minister, Dr Stephen Farry (pictured here) has pledged to provide advice, support, and help into work, for those moving from Incapacity Benefit or Income Support to the Employment and Support Allowance.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
