Welfare reform, state pension and (injury)benefit changes Nicola Lee Employment Relations Adviser

Welfare benefits – key triggers u Ill health / disability u Unemployment u Family (school aged children) u Low income u Pensioner u Carer u Pregnancy u Widow u Passported benefits u Contributory u Means tested Factsheet_15_-_A_quick_guide_to_benefit_poster.pdf

Welfare reform - headlines u Cuts totalling £18 billion over the next three years u Main impact on families and disabled people and those in high rent areas u Increased conditionality u Benefit cap

Main changes u Universal Credit to replace 6 existing means tested benefits and tax credits for working age people (Oct 2013 – 2017) u Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to replace DLA (2013/4) u 12 mth time limit for contributory Employment and Support Allowance (April 2012) u Housing benefit caps (April 2013) u Abolition of Social Fund payments (April 2013)

Who will be affected u Lower paid – reliant on childcare element of tax credits u Long term sick u Disabled employees u Tenants in high rent areas u Under 35s in rented accommodation

State Retirement Pension changes u Change in contribution requirements – 30 years u Change in pension age –66 by 2020 –67 between 2034 and 2036 –68 between 2044 and 2046 u Auto enrolment - NEST

Other benefit issues u Tax credits – freeze elements and reduced childcare payments (from April 2011) u Migration of Incapacity benefit claimants to Employment and Support Allowance u Change to Work Capability Assessment u Work Programme

Signpost members for help u RCN Welfare Rights and Guidance service u u u

NHS Injury Benefits u Current arrangements –Temporary Injury Allowance –Permanent Injury Benefit –Death Benefits –Wholly or mainly attributable to NHS employment –Permanent loss of earning ability (PIB)

NHS Injury Benefit review u Review recommendations –Repeal current regulations (no detriment to existing beneficiaries) –Replace with provision in AfC handbook –Limited to employment contract –New allowance similar to TIA –More generous offsetting rules –Paid also during phased return –Pay protection

NHS Injury Benefit – next steps u Ratification from NHS Staff Council 21/10/11 u Seek approval from Health Departments and clarify position in Northern Ireland u Consultation and then repeal of current regulations u Implement new AfC handbook section u Hopefully by 1/10/12!