Just for reference, there was once Invalidity Benefit which was for 'invalids' (as in the sentence, 'he was invalided out of the army'). However this was replaced by something very similar called Incapacity Benefit which meant, presumably, that someone was considered 'incapable' of work. And then, in its latest incarnation, the benefit is called Employment and Support Allowance, an Orwellian name which offers little clue to what the benefit is actually about. This phrase is not readily catching on. Yesterday I was interviewed on BBC Radio Wales and the interviewer referred to it by the old name, Incapacity Benefit. Again it is referred to by the old name in this morning's Independent.

Here is an introductory sentence from the Department of Work and Pensions - another Orwellian name except for the 'pensions' part. It used to be called the Department of Social Security which was a bit more honest. (If a spade were called a spade, the Department might be called the Department of Welfare Benefits. )

From 27 October 2008 Employment and Support Allowance replaced Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid on incapacity grounds for new customers.

Any entry point for the Employment and Support Allowance on the DWP website is here.

Posted by James Bartholomew • Indexed in Welfare benefits

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