Overview

The Welfare Reform Act 2009 amended UK social security law, gave disabled people more control over services, reformed child maintenance, and made changes to birth registration. Key changes included the abolition of income support and the introduction of new work-related activity requirements for benefit claimants.

Description

The Act's main social security reforms involved a revised system of working-age benefits. It introduced "work for your benefit" schemes, requiring claimants to participate in employment-focused activities. Income support was abolished, with claimants transitioning to jobseeker's allowance or employment and support allowance. New conditions were set for contributory jobseeker's allowance and employment and support allowance, and adult dependency increases were abolished. The Act also introduced new sanctions for benefit recipients found guilty of benefit fraud or violent conduct in connection with their claims. Lone parents with children under 7 were subject to different regulations. The Act also introduced external provider social loans and regulations around their use, and made changes to the provision of community care grants. The act also included new provisions relating to the impact of action plans on children's well being.

Disabled People's Rights

The Act aimed to give disabled people aged 18 and over more choice and control over the services they receive. This included the right to direct payments for equivalent services and the creation of support plans.

Child Maintenance

Amendments were made to the Child Support Act 1991. These included provisions for disqualifying individuals from holding driving licences or travel authorisations due to non-payment of child support, and a system of appeals.

Birth Registration

The Act updated birth registration procedures, particularly for children born to unmarried parents.

Government Spending

The Act's effect on government spending is not explicitly stated in the provided text. The abolition of income support likely resulted in savings, while the introduction of new schemes and provisions may have increased expenditure in other areas.

Groups Affected

• Working-age benefit claimants: Faced new work-related activity requirements and potential benefit sanctions.
• Lone parents: Subject to specific regulations regarding work-related activity, depending on the age of their children.
• Disabled people: Given greater choice and control over service provision, including the potential for direct payments.
• Parents of children born outside marriage: Affected by changes to birth registration procedures.
• Benefit fraud offenders: Faced more stringent sanctions.
• Those dependent on drugs or alcohol: Subject to new requirements and potential sanctions.

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