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Topics: state benefits| incapacity benefit| statutory sick pay| DWP
Benefit claimants currently too sick to work could face losing their payments if they do not go back into employment.
Conditions requiring claimants to search for work could be extended to those claiming for health reasons, the Government's 21st Century Welfare consultation paper has announced.
Currently most Jobseeker's Allowance claimants are required to look for full-time work to receive their allowance.
The paper explains that: "Individuals who are able to look for work or prepare for work should be required to do so as a condition for receiving benefit and those who fail to meet their responsibilities should face a sanction such as a benefit reduction."
It then opens the door to the possibility of including those "benefit claimants who currently have no work search conditionality applied (for example because of ill health or caring responsibilities."
Under this section it says: "We could apply conditionality to match financial incentives for working even relatively short hours where appropriate - requiring some people to look for or prepare for work of a few hours a week in line with their capability and circumstances - and extend conditionality as an individual's circumstances change (for example, when their health improves).
At the heart of the Government's thinking is to make it much clearer that the commitment to work is the foundation of the benefits system for people of working age.
It suggests that everyone who is able to work, or to take steps to prepare for work, should sign a document setting out their obligations and the activity required to satisfy those obligations.
Those who fail to meet their obligations may have their benefit withdrawn until they demonstrate that they have re-engaged with their personalised set of commitments, and the possibility of non-financial sanctions in encouraging compliance is discussed as well.
It does conclude by noting that, financial support for people who are not able to work, or prepare for work, would remain unconditional, but fails to elaborate on how this would be decided.
The consultation process is open until 1 October.
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LOSING DLA
I had to try for nearly a year to get DLA , after numerous claims etc . I got it , I suffer from many conditions some to do with a car accident ,but worse still I developed Non Specific Epilepsy , which took the Medical Profession 2 years to give me an answer . Now the DWP are saying I am no longer entitled to any of it I go unconscious in an instant without any warnings day or night but every day . Have to take meds for bladder probs as after car accident it was overlooked that my bladder was burst and I was left for near 5 hours bleeding internally missed by the hospital as well as suffering other problems . Yet the DLA say they are stopping my benefit as I don't meet the criteria . I suffer chronic pain in the upper half of my body every waking moment the meds take the edge of the pain but it's there then there is the unpredictable unconscious periods that last for 9 , 12 and so far the longest 26 hours but I am not sleeping it's a coma like state where as my brain is switched on always I have nearly set myself on fire numerous times , went to cook Chinese ribs sat down and went unconscious and this was early morning after coming out of one my episodes only to go back into one where the whole house was filled with smoke luckily told them all this for the umpteen time but this new Goverment are punishing anyone and everyone appealed but told it takes 2 months at least yet only have half that lefty to run on present claim and to add to it I suffer from the name of Medical Vertigo also . Yet DVLA say not fit to drive as condition is danger to myself and the public yet the DLA say different telling them and getting lumped with an incompetent doctor who doesn't recognize Non Specific Epilepsy put the nail in the coffin for me after the DLA got a report from them to which I don't know what was said . By should have stayed with Labour no faith in this new called Goverment who are robbing us that deserve this help I did work for 12 to 14 hours 6 days a week pouring money into the economy now some person behind a desk thinks they know better try living with it , you'll have a different opinion afterwards .
Posted by: I LOST OUT