Wilson highlights help for disabled people to stay in work

21 Dec 2000

Thousands of Scots who fall ill or become disabled while at work can now benefit from Government measures to make remaining in work financially viable, Scotland Office Minister Brian Wilson said today.

Disabled Person's Tax Credit (DPTC) Fast-Track is a new scheme which enables people who become disabled or suffer long-term illness while they are in work to apply to receive the tax credit on their return to work.

Welcoming a new campaign to promote DPTC, Mr Wilson said:

"The Government is committed to giving all those who want to work the help and support they need to do so. Disabled Person's Tax Credit Fast-Track helps people to top up their earnings when their illness or disability means that they need to move to a job with lower pay or a shorter working week. The new scheme makes staying in work financially viable for thousands of Scots who become sick or disabled while at work.

"Already, 2,390 Scots benefit from DPTC. I am very pleased that further progress is being made in ensuring that all those who are entitled to claim DPTC do so. Information on DPTC and the new Fast-Track scheme is being sent to 85 key contacts working with the deaf community in Scotland through the "Public Scene" video magazine.

"Hearing difficulties are just some of a range of disabilities which can disadvantage people in the labour market. I would urge anyone who thinks they might be eligible for DPTC to contact the Tax Credit Helpline on 0845 605 5858 for more information or textphone 0845 608 8844."

NOTES TO NEWS EDITORS

  1. DPTC is the tax credit available to people on low to middle incomes, working at least 16 hours a week, whether self-employed or an employee, who have an illness or disability which puts them at a disadvantage in the labour market. It replaced Disability Working Allowance from 5 October 1999. The Fast-Track route to DPTC was introduced in October 2000.

  2. To qualify for DPTC via the Fast-Track, all the following main conditions must be met, (alongside the other qualifying conditions for DPTC):

- the applicant must have been receiving - for 20 weeks or more one or more of

  • Statutory Sick Pay
  • Occupational Sick Pay
  • Short term Incapacity Benefit paid at the lower rate
  • Income Support paid on the grounds of incapacity for work, or
  • National Insurance credits awarded on the grounds of incapacity for work,

    and

    - a doctor must confirm that the applicant has an illness or disability which puts him or her at a disadvantage in getting a job and which is likely to last for at least another six months, or for the rest of the applicant's life, and

    - the applicant must be working, on average, for at least 16 hours per week (whether self-employed or in employment). The hours for two or more jobs can be combined to meet this test, and

    - on return to work the applicant's gross earnings must be at least 20% less than they were before the illness or disability, with a minimum reduction of £15.00 a week.

    1. The aim of the Public Scene video magazine is to make government information accessible to people who, for reasons of hearing impairment, prefer to receive information on videotape in British Sign Language or with English subtitles. Public Scene is sent free of charge to key contacts working with the deaf community throughout the UK. It is also highlighted on the BBC TV programme "See Hear". Additional copies are distributed to sponsors, contributors and to meet further requests for the video from the deaf community.
    2. Although the Public Scene video magazine is aimed at the deaf community, the messages it contains are equally relevant to others. Hearing difficulties are just one of a specified range of disabilities which put people at a disadvantage in getting a job. People with any one of these disabilities may be eligible for DPTC.