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From 2 May 2011, we’re changing the way we work with disabled and sick people on Sickness Benefit. Our focus will be on what people can do, instead of what they can’t, with the goal of helping them into work if they’re able to.

 

It’s now recognised globally that good work is also good for people’s health and wellbeing, and that long term absence from work can have serious negative impacts.

People who are out of work and on a benefit have a higher risk of poverty, social isolation and deteriorating overall health. They lose their job skills, social and work contacts and their confidence. And, the longer they stay on benefit, the less likely they are to return to work.

At Work and Income, we want to encourage people receiving Sickness Benefit to focus on what’s possible for them now and in the future. Work is also the best way out of hardship and poverty.

We’re making some changes to Sickness Benefit that we think will encourage people who can work even part-time to try and find a suitable job.

There are three main changes:

1. People receiving Sickness Benefit who’ve been assessed by Work and Income as able to work at least 15 hours a week, will need to start looking for part-time work. This assessment will be based on information provided in the Work Capacity medical certificate along with what the client and other experts tell us.
2. When people start receiving Sickness Benefit, their first medical certificate will be valid for a maximum of four weeks. They will need a second medical certificate for the next four weeks and then a new medical certificate every 13 weeks after that. This extra information early on will allow us to work more closely with people to determine if they’re capable of doing some work and what work would be most suitable. It will also help us determine the right assistance the person should be getting.
3. People who have been on Sickness Benefit for 12 months or longer will need to come in for a review after every 12 month period. We want to make sure people are getting the right assistance and support to help them get into work as quickly as possible.

People won’t lose their benefit if they don’t get a job, but they may have it reduced or stopped if they don’t actively look for one.

Work must be suitable to each person’s particular situation – we want to encourage people to do what they can, not create more stress for them.

Let’s focus on what people can do – not what they can’t.

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