New research from National Centre for Social Research identifies opportunities to help health and disability benefit customers into work

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Secretary of State, Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP has recently discussed findings from ‘Work Aspirations of Health and Disability Claimants: Interim findings report’, delivered by the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen).

The Work and Pensions Secretary said: “People claiming Health and Disability benefits have been classed by the system as ‘can’t work’ and shut out of jobs and have been ignored – when they’ve been crying out for support”. This recently published report explores the views and experiences of health and disability benefit customers, providing a detailed overview of their employment aspirations, the barriers they face in accessing work, and the support they feel they need most.

A survey and qualitative interviews were conducted in October and November 2024 with health and disability benefit customers, including those receiving Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), and those on the Universal Credit (UC) Health Journey. 

The report finds: 

• For most people receiving health and disability benefits, it is their health that is the main barrier to work, as opposed to their motivation or skills. Nearly half (49%) of customers felt they would never be able to work, or return to work, because of their health, while 27% felt they might be able to work in future but only if their health improved.
• There is evidence of a link between rising take up of health and disability benefits and challenges with the healthcare system. Two in five customers (41%) were on a waiting list for treatment for their health condition(s), and half (50%) felt their ability to work was dependent on receiving treatment.
• Homeworking may offer an opportunity to (re-)enter the workforce. A quarter (25%) of customers feel they can’t work now but when asked if they could work from home they say they could. However, customers felt there was a risk of social isolation and tended to see homeworking as a stepping stone to in-person work.
• The relationship between customers and DWP is complex. Of those customers not in work who didn’t rule out work permanently, 60% were worried that DWP would make them look for unsuitable work, and 50% were worried they would not get their benefits back if they tried working and it didn’t work out.
• But support services from DWP are welcome. Most customers (69%) were open to receiving contact from DWP about offers of support for employment, benefits or disability services. 
• Customers wanted help from DWP to be personal, with genuine attempts to understand their unique needs and circumstances. They wanted to feel supported rather than coerced, monitored or blamed. They wanted to see more joined-up services so that they didn’t need to explain their health conditions repeatedly to different staff and agencies.

Bernard Steen, Research Director at the National Centre for Social Research, comments: “This important research gives voice to DWP’s customers. Disabled benefit claimants who can work overwhelmingly want to, and there are real opportunities for DWP to help them get there. For DWP’s customers, the key is to take a collaborative and supportive approach, helping disabled people to build their confidence and return to work when they’re ready.”
 

For more information please contact:

Emileigh Spurdens, Communications Manager
t:020 7549 8506 e: emileigh.spurdens@natcen.ac.uk

Notes to editors: 

• The full report can be found here: Work aspirations and support needs of health and disability customers: Interim findings - GOV.UK
• A final report will be published in Spring 2025 and will include additional findings from 9 focus groups and findings from segmentation analysis of the survey data.