New employment and support allowance introduced

Summary

'Welfare Reform Act 2007' makes provision for the employment and support allowance which will replace incapacity benefit and income support on grounds of incapacity for work or disability. The replacement benefit will have a new benefit structure, incorporating both a contributory allowance and an income-related allowance.

The Act provides for the introduction of conditionality to some claimants receiving the benefit and brings forward the proposals discussed in the Welfare Reform Green Paper published in January 2006, 'A New Deal for Welfare - Empowering People to Work' (Cm. 6730), and the Consultation Report 'A New Deal for Welfare: Empowering People to Work - Consultation Report (Cm. 6859)' published in June 2006.

Explanatory Notes are available: these are produced to assist in the understanding of this Act.

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Law-Making Explained

This is an Act of Parliament (Elizabeth II - Chapter 5).

Find out more about Acts.

How does it affect me?

If you are currently on incapacity benefit or income support, this affects you.

The Act introduces the new ‘employment and support allowance’ which will replace incapacity benefit and income support on grounds of incapacity for work or disability. This new system will consider what an individual is capable of, and what help they need to manage their condition and return to work.