Legislation for disabled benefit claimants changes

New legislation is being laid allowing disabled benefit claimants to be given the right to try work without the immediate fear of losing their benefits.

More than a third (37 percent) of disabled people and people with health conditions in the DWP work aspirations survey said they want to work but are held back by fear of losing their benefits. 

The legislation, which is coming into force at the end of April, means entering employment will not automatically trigger benefit reassessment for claimants on new-style Employment and Support Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, and Universal Credit health element. 

The legislation also includes a guarantee that those looking to volunteer will be able to do so without fear of benefit reassessment.

The changes are part of the Government’s drive to unlock work for sick or disabled people and boost living standards. It is backed by a £3.5 billion investment in tailored employment support by the end of the decade. 

Whilst this legislation ensures that entering work is not in itself a trigger for reassessment, where a reassessment is already due to take place, this will continue as normal.
  
Jon Sparkes OBE, Chief Executive of learning disability charity Mencap: "These are sensible and welcome steps to support more disabled people into work and help rebuild trust in a system that has caused real anxiety for many in the past.

"People with a learning disability want to work, but the benefits system is often the biggest barrier, so protecting people’s benefits when they try work is particularly important."