Are you claiming Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance or Income Support?

The government is reassessing everyone who claims these benefits on the basis of sickness or disability. Some people, such as carers or lone parents, qualify for Income Support for other reasons and they will not be affected by these changes.

Who will be affected?

This process will affect two million people in total.

  • Everyone claiming Incapacity Benefit (including those who were transferred from Invalidity Benefit to Incapacity Benefit in 1995).
  • Everyone claiming Severe Disablement Allowance.
  • Everyone claiming Income Support because they are sick or disabled.
  • People who get 'Incapacity credits'. These are not a cash payment, they are National Insurance contribution credits for people who are not entitled to any of the above benefits because of their circumstances.

The only exception is for people who are due to reach pension age before 6 April 2014 - their benefits will not be affected.

When will it happen?

A pilot was run in Aberdeen and Burnley starting in October 2010. In all other areas, the process started from February 2011 and is due to finish by April 2014. The Department for Work and Pensions says that it will reassess people claiming Incapacity Benefit and Income Support first, then reassess people claiming Severe Disablement Allowance and Incapacity credits.
 
What will happen?

Eventually everyone's Incapacity Benefit, Income Support and Severe Disablement Allowance will stop. Before the benefit stops, each person will be reassessed to see if they meet the criteria for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). If they do, they will be moved off their old benefit and onto ESA.

How will this happen?

If you are claiming one of these benefits, you will receive a letter from the Department for Work and Pensions saying that your claim is about to be reassessed. The Department for Work and Pensions will also telephone you to explain the reassessment process and to find out if you have any 'additional communications needs'.

You will then be sent an ESA50 form to complete which asks questions about how your condition or disability affects your ability to carry out everyday tasks. It's a good idea to send in extra information with this form, for example letters or reports.

Once the Department for Work and Pensions receives your form, they will decide if you need to attend a face-to-face assessment. Currently the majority of people need to attend an assessment.

At the end of the process, you will receive a decision notice saying either:

  • that you do not meet the criteria for ESA, and you will be given a date when your Incapacity Benefit/Income Support/SDA/Incapacity credits will stop
  • that you do qualify for ESA and you will be told how much you will receive, and at what date you will be transferred onto the new benefit.

You have the right to appeal against these decisions.

Most people who do not qualify for ESA will have the option of claiming Jobseekers Allowance. People who are carers or lone parents of children under seven may be able to claim Income Support.

For more details about Employment and Support Allowance, please see our information Employment and Support Allowance. A printed copy is also available from our Autism Helpline on 0808 800 4104.

If you require further information please contact the NAS Autism Helpline
Tel: 0808 800 4104
Email: autismhelpline@nas.org.uk