Just want to make sure I've got this right. It's not just IB that's being scrapped but also IS for people who are incapable of work?

The DWP press release doesn't seem to address this issue, but the flow chart on page 48 of the 5 year plan shows the "current incapacity benefits process" with IS and the DP after 52 weeks. The reformed system flowchart on page 50 no longer features IS. I guess it really wouldn't make any sense in terms of this policy to limit people's IB but leave those with little capital free to top up with IS. But it's early in the morning and I'm still at least three cups of tea from a fully functioning brain . . . in so far as it ever does.

... the note to the use of the phrase 'incapacity benefits' in the introduction to the 'fplan' says -

'Incapacity benefits is used here to cover contributory Incapacity Benefit, Income Support with the disability premium and Severe Disablement Allowance.'

'Incapacity benefits (IB) is used here to mean contributory IB, Income Support with the disability premium and Severe Disablement Allowance.'

'... establish(ing) a single aligned system for all claimants ... regardless of whether they receive targeted support or non-targeted support today'

Shawn,

I don't know how much you're paid for reading every word of these documents, but it can't possibly be enough.

Cheers,

Steve

deep breath steve .... have you seen this

http://www.rightsnet.org.uk/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=111&topic_id=563&mesg_id=563&page=#591

Golly Moses, so this is what they mean by simplifying the benefits system.

It's almost as if . . . as if . . . why that's it! Alan Johnson has been body snatched by a well known national welfare benefits training agency desperate to generate additional revenue. Think of it, four new benefits - like the Tax Credits Roadshows all over again.

I wonder if be any crumbs might fall the way of small independents who promise not to squeal?

Actually Steve its worse than that. There's five new benefits as new claimants will be placed on a 'holding' benefit prior to the pca/employment assessment being carried out.

With the transitional protection for current claimants that seems to be in the proposals, it looks like we're on the way to that simplified benefits system that the government keeps going on about.

Five! I'm awestruck.

Or maybe it'll be six - maybe there'll be contributory and non-contributory holding benefits too.

It occurs to me that I'm not as sprightly as I was and by 2008 I'll probably be even less so. So if there's anyone from CPAG visiting, I was just wondering . . . could you produce the 2008-09 Handbook with a couple of little wheels at the bottom and a little pull out handle at the top, so I can still get to interview rooms with it?

Or maybe you could team up with Flymo and produce a small, two-stroke Hovering Handbook? I'd be happy to help come up with some nifty promotional slogans.

Anyone got anything they'd like to say to Alan Johnson about the proposed new five or six benefits? Tomorrow's your chance:

From:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/

Call You & Yours TOMORROW: Incapacity Benefit
Tomorrow we look at Incapacity Benefits and the changes proposed to payment of it. We'll hear from Alan Johnson, Secretary for of State for Work and Pensions. Are you on Incapacity Benefit? Do you feel under pressure to work, yet don't feel you can cope with work? Are you getting the support you need? Or are you of the opinion that reform of the system is long overdue because it can be abused? You can call us now with your views on 0800 044 044 or email us here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/youandyours/youandyours_contact.shtml