 People will have to undergo interviews to claim benefits |
Pilot schemes that offer a �40-a-week back-to-work incentives to people on sickness benefit has worked for thousands, the government says. People receiving benefits while they are off work, are offered the payment and NHS support to help them return.
The Pathways to Work payment lasts a year and goes to those on low incomes.
The scheme is running in Bridgend, Derbyshire, Renfrewshire, East Lancashire, Essex, Gateshead and South Tyneside and Somerset.
�40 allowance
Officials say the longer people are on benefit the longer they are likely to stay home.
The Pathways to Work scheme helps people who have been off work with long-term sickness.
The allowance is paid to people on an income of less �15,000.
NHS rehabilitation support helps employees to cope with a variety of problems, including back pain, angina, and mental illness.
The Department for Work and Pensions says since the scheme was started, six times as many people in the pilot areas have taken up support from the New Deal or other rehabilitation programmes.
The scheme started in October 2003 in Renfrewshire, Derby and Bridgend, with the four other areas joining in April 2004.
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