Benefits and work for people with mental health problems

Briefing Paper 27

This briefing paper is for staff working with people with mental health problems, based within mental health, housing, employment or other support services. It provides information on:

  • the disincentives to work associated with the welfare benefits system
  • ways of minimising or overcoming these barriers to work
  • other financial help which may be available
  • sources of useful information.

The briefing identifies seven major disincentives to work which must be tackled by policy makers before returning to employment can become a clear, easy process for service users.

Under the present system, people may experience no financial gain, or even a drop in income from working, they may be unable to get financial support for practical needs at work, and they may be forced to undergo an untimely medical review.

The information in this briefing will be superseded by the Welfare Reform Act which comes into effect in April 2008.