The system of four incapacity benefits is being replaced with two

The current system of four incapacity benefits is being replaced with two.

Previously people were categorised under sickness, invalidity, injury and disablement, depending on why they were off work.

There will be a short-term incapacity allowance for people off work for less than a year, and a long-term one for those with more serious problems.

Fairer system

Senator Paul Routier, president of the Employment and Social Security Committee, said: "The whole purpose of this is to assess people's incapacity and award them an amount of money for that capacity.

"We are trying to encourage people into work."

The new system is seen by officials as being fairer as everyone is treated the same.

Under the old system, people with a similar problem were treated differently, depending on whether their absence from work was caused by an accident or an illness.