The facts: incapacity benefit review

15:04 04 April 2011

The rules are changing when it comes to incapacity benefit.

Thousands of people are set to receive letters from 4 April 2011, asking them to be reassessed on their ability to work, but will it affect you, and how?

How many people will get letters?
Letters are being sent to around 1.5million people on incapacity benefit. The first assessments are set to take place in June 2011.

Why is the government sending out letters?
This new assessment is part of plans to scale down the number of people claiming long-term by 2014.

The government is trying to drive down the welfare bill by making sure that those that can work are looking for employment.

Why now?
Trial schemes were run in Bury and Aberdeen which found that 29 per cent of people were deemed fit to work straight away and 39 per cent could consider working with the correct help.

What will happen after the assessments?
After the assessment, claimants will be split into three groups. Those fit for work will be put on jobseekers allowance immediately.

Those deemed unable to work because of sickness or disability will be entitled to the highest rate of support allowance and will not be expected to look for work.

Those who have been unemployed long-term but are deemed capable of doing some form of work, will be placed in a 'work-related' activity group and expected to prepare for a return to work.