Published 6 June 2011
Drug or alcohol dependency – new support from Jobcentre Plus
Jobcentre Plus has launched a new range of support for those with a drug or alcohol dependency.
- People claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance can volunteer for the Work Programme with the agreement of their adviser after just 13 weeks of their current benefit claim, subject to availability. Advisers can tailor the Jobseeker’s Agreement to take account of any treatment commitments claimants might have.
- In England, advisers can refer claimants whose dependency is a barrier to work for a voluntary discussion with a treatment provider.
- In England, if a claimant is not receiving support from an adviser as part of the Jobcentre Plus intervention regime, and they seek help and advice about their dependency, we will direct them to local treatment where available. For example, people receiving Incapacity benefit, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or Disability Living Allowance.
Some elements of this new help will only be available in England. Discussions are currently ongoing with the devolved governments in Scotland and Wales about voluntary referrals to a treatment provider through Jobcentre Plus.
Government drug strategy
The drug and alcohol recovery and employment agenda is a key priority for DWP Ministers, and for Jobcentre Plus delivery. An estimated one in 15 people on benefits are dependent on drugs or alcohol.
"Reducing demand, restricting supply, building recovery: supporting people to live a drug-free life", published on 8 December 2010, sets out a fundamentally different approach to preventing drug use in our communities, and in supporting recovery from drug and alcohol dependence.
The strategy has recovery at its heart. It:
- puts more responsibility on individuals to seek help and overcome dependency
- places emphasis on providing a more holistic approach, by addressing other issues in addition to treatment to support people dependent on drugs or alcohol, such as offending, employment and housing
- aims to reduce demand
- takes an uncompromising approach to crack down on those involved in the drug supply both at home and abroad
- puts power and accountability in the hands of local communities to tackle drugs and the harms they cause.
- Reducing demand, restricting supply, building recovery: supporting people to live a drug-free life – government drug strategy 2010 (Home Office website)
Related research reports
- Population estimates of problem drug users in England who access DWP benefits: A feasibility study (206KB)
Hay, G and Bauld L. DWP working paper 46, 2008 - Population estimates of alcohol misuser users who access DWP benefits (704KB) Hay, G and Bauld L. DWP working paper 94, 2010
- Problem drug users experiences of employment and the benefit system (441KB) Bauld, L; Hay, G; McKell, J and Carroll, C. DWP research report 640, 2010
- Alcohol misusers’ experiences of employment and the benefits system (882KB) Bauld, L; Carroll, C; Hay, G; McKell, J; Novak,C; Silver, K and Templeton, L. DWP research report 718, 2010
- Evaluation of the Jobcentre Plus Intensive Activity trial for substance misusing customers (314KB) Fisher, C. In House Research 2, 2011
