A Stepping-Stone to Employment?
Incapacity-related benefits provide people who have to stop working because of illness or disability with a measure of earnings replacement. Under the permitted work rules (introduced in April 2002), incapacity-related benefit claimants may work up to 16 hours per week and earn a set amount each week but for a limited period of time only (a maximum of 52 weeks). The research investigated the characteristics and experiences of the people who make use of the new rules; looked at who does and does not make use of the new permitted work rules; explored the extent to which the new rules provide a 'stepping stone' to employment for clients and explored the use of the new rules by Jobcentre Plus staff.
Incapacity-related benefits provide people who have to stop working because of illness or disability with a measure of earnings replacement.
Under the permitted work rules (introduced in April 2002), incapacity-related benefit claimants may work up to 16 hours per week and earn a set amount each week but for a limited period of time only (a maximum of 52 weeks).
The rules are intended to encourage claimants, where they are able, to plan a gradual return to the world of work. The research:
- investigated the characteristics and experiences of the people who make use of the new rules
- looked at who does and does not make use of the new permitted work rules
- explored the extent to which the new rules provide a ‘stepping stone’ to employment for clients
- explored the use of the new rules by Jobcentre Plus staff.
The findings have implications for future incapacity-benefit policy.