AQW 13149/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 10/06/2024
Answered On Date: 20/06/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any plans he has to improve the support, financial or otherwise, provided to those in the Employment and Support Allowance support group.

Answer:

All Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) claimants undergo a Work Capability Assessment to determine their capability for work. Claimants with an illness or disability that severely restricts their ability to work will be placed in the Support Group. Those placed within the Support Group receive an increased rate of ESA.

While claimants in the Support Group are not asked to take part in any work-related activity as a condition of receiving benefit, they do have access to Work Coach support and all of the services available at their local Jobs and Benefits Office. This includes information and advice on training/employment opportunities and employment programmes available to help manage an illness and disability at work.