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<p /> <p>The Department is currently reassessing most people on old-style incapacity
benefits (Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, and Income Support where
paid on the grounds of incapacity), to see if they are fit for work or eligible for
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).</p><p>The structure of ESA and its rates of
benefit and additions vary significantly from those of the incapacity benefits it
is replacing. We have therefore given a commitment that no existing incapacity benefit
claimant whose award qualifies for conversion to ESA will see a reduction in the level
of their benefit entitlement at the point of change.</p><p>Where on conversion to
ESA a claimant receives more by way of their existing incapacity benefit award than
they otherwise would via ESA, the rate of their existing award will be frozen and
they will be awarded a transitional addition on top of their ESA award, equivalent
to the shortfall between the two rates. Where a claimant's ESA award includes such
a top-up payment, the amount of benefit they get thereafter will not normally rise
until the standard amount of ESA payable at the point of conversion increases (most
commonly by virtue of annual up-ratings) by an amount equal to the amount of the top-up
payment.</p><p>Where, on conversion to ESA, a claimant is entitled to less by way
of their existing incapacity award than they are via ESA, their benefit will immediately
be increased to the ESA rate payable.</p>
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