is incapacity benefit going to means tested?

elaine12022

Just to reiterate the above,and to clarify.

You could only get (contributory) Incapacity Benefit if you had previously worked, whereas if you hadn't you could claim income based Income Support.

Now it is ESA, and the government wants to limit those placed in the Work Related Activity Group who are getting it as a contributory benefit to receiving it for a year. (as an incentive to get people to work :rotfl:). the companies working with that group of people will be paid bonuses, the more money they save the Government (so probably a good place to get work is with those companies ).

They don't mention limiting the ESA for those in the Support Group.

And all these will somehow be morphed into a 'Universal Credit' over the next two Parliaments!

Blue22

TOBRUK wrote: »

Well there isn't much detail with benefits ... it was announced that there would be a single universal credit - does this mean infact that IB/ESA, job seekers and IS will converge into one?!

I can't find anywhere any of the details - perhaps it will be a while before the details of each benefit is explained.

!

A good overview of the proposed Universal Credit can be found on the Disability Alliance website. They have a link to a PDF from their homepage.

maureen_04

At the risk of upsetting you OP, I do think that having £16k and claiming ANY benefit it a bit unfair, the amount for claiming any benefits should be £6k as it is for IS.

In these difficult times I think it is totally unreasonable to pay someone benefits when they have that kind of money.

At the very least, the benefit should be reduced.


_________________________________________________________________

For accurate and invaluable advice

http://www.abcofesa.co.uk/board/index.php

Indie_Kid

maureen_04 wrote: »

At the risk of upsetting you OP, I do think that having £16k and claiming ANY benefit it a bit unfair, the amount for claiming any benefits should be £6k as it is for IS.

In these difficult times I think it is totally unreasonable to pay someone benefits when they have that kind of money.

At the very least, the benefit should be reduced.

Even if they've paid into the system for however many years?

olias

maureen_04 wrote: »

At the risk of upsetting you OP, I do think that having £16k and claiming ANY benefit it a bit unfair, the amount for claiming any benefits should be £6k as it is for IS.

In these difficult times I think it is totally unreasonable to pay someone benefits when they have that kind of money.

At the very least, the benefit should be reduced.

I'm sorry, although I can see where you are coming from, it's that sort of thought that makes people think, 'why should I bother saving'.

To look at another way, why should someone who has frittered away their money over time, not saved, been irresponsible, but had a whale of a time blowing all their cash be entitled to benefits, whilst those who have been restrained, cautious, lived within their means and budgeted and saved, be denied benefits because of this!

Olias

sarahg1969

sh1305 wrote: »

Even if they've paid into the system for however many years?

It's not a savings scheme.

sarahg1969

olias wrote: »

I'm sorry, although I can see where you are coming from, it's that sort of thought that makes people think, 'why should I bother saving'.

To look at another way, why should someone who has frittered away their money over time, not saved, been irresponsible, but had a whale of a time blowing all their cash be entitled to benefits, whilst those who have been restrained, cautious, lived within their means and budgeted and saved, be denied benefits because of this!

Olias

Like pensions and residential care?

Indie_Kid

sarahg1969 wrote: »

It's not a savings scheme.

National insurance is an insurance scheme though.

sarahg1969

sh1305 wrote: »

National insurance is an insurance scheme though.

That's absolutely correct. It's not a savings scheme.

Oldernotwiser

olias wrote: »

I'm sorry, although I can see where you are coming from, it's that sort of thought that makes people think, 'why should I bother saving'.

Surely one of the main points of saving is that you can be independent and not need to rely on benefits in hard times? Isn't that what "saving for a rainy day" is all about?