New “Right to Try” Legislation Removes a Key Barrier to Work for Disabled People
At the end of April 2026, new legislation will come into force designed to address the fear of losing benefits support if a new job does not work out.
For many disabled people and those with long-term health conditions, the risk of triggering a benefits reassessment can be enough to stop them from even trying employment or volunteering. This leaves people stranded on benefits, despite wanting to work.
New legislation aims to address this problem. From the end of April, starting work will no longer automatically trigger a benefits reassessment for people who receive:
- New-style Employment and Support Allowance.
- Personal Independence Payment.
- The health element of Universal Credit.
The new rules also guarantee that volunteering, which is often a first step back into work, will not trigger a benefits reassessment either.
If you are an employer, the rules may remove a barrier that has previously been filtering out suitable candidates before you have had a chance to meet them.
The government has published a technical consultation on its new Founders’ Relief. The consultation itself provides an overview of the proposed qualifying conditions for it, including individual and company requirements and what must be satisfied. HMRC’s own figures, however, show that the strict conditions mean only about 600 individuals will be eligible to apply each year.
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