{"id":51287,"date":"2014-12-08T13:27:35","date_gmt":"2014-12-08T13:27:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=9186c99dd474586f5fb191a8a6759eab"},"modified":"2014-12-08T13:27:35","modified_gmt":"2014-12-08T13:27:35","slug":"press-release-proposals-to-close-esa-loophole-may-have-unintended-consequences","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=51287","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Proposals to close ESA loophole may have unintended consequences"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC<\/abbr>) is considering the government\u2019s intention to close a loophole it believes is currently being exploited by some Employment and Support Allowance (ESA<\/abbr>) claimants. Claimants whose award of benefit has ended after a Work Capability Assessment determines that they do not have limited capability for work will no longer be able to make a successful repeat claim for benefit unless their health has deteriorated or changed. The committee will be hosting a small number of workshops in the coming weeks to gather evidence on the potential impact of this proposal which might extend to those with a legitimate claim.<\/p>\n

Paul Gray (the committee\u2019s Chair) has commented: <\/p>\n

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We fully endorse the government\u2019s determination to protect the benefit system from abuse and to close off opportunitunities for exploitation by a determined few. However, we want to look more closely at whether these proposals are the most appropriate way of achieving that ambition as it is not entirely clear who is likely to be affected and how. For example, some of those affected may have mental health or fluctuating conditions with no intention of manipulating the system. That is why we want to speak to stakeholders who have direct and relevant insight on this before we submit our report to the government.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Current rules allow claimants to make another claim 6 months after being refused benefit. Provided they are able to produce a fit note, they will be awarded ESA<\/abbr> at the assessment rate even if their health is unchanged. Some people are exploiting the system to continue to get ESA<\/abbr> at the basic rate, even though they have been assessed as not having a limited capability for work and their health remains unchanged. It is additionally possible to prolong a period of entitlement on ESA<\/abbr> by lodging an appeal. Even if the appeal is lost, a claimant can make another claim to ESA<\/abbr> and start the entire process again.<\/p>\n

The government intends to close down this loophole by introducing the following proposals: <\/p>\n