FAQs for Individuals
Am I eligible to take part in the scheme?
To be eligible you must be a resident of the Isle of Man and been receiving incapacity related benefits for at least 12 months. If you haven’t been receiving incapacity related benefits but have been off work sick, and have a sick note from a doctor covering the last 12 months then you may also qualify for the scheme.
How do I apply?
Individuals will shortly be able to register on-line for the Scheme. In the meantime, they can contact the Employment Services Team by email to reskill@gov.im
What happens next?
Social Security officers will check whether you are eligible for the scheme. If you are, an Employment Advisor who specialises in supporting people with health conditions and disabilities in and into work will contact you to set up an initial meeting, and your details will also be passed on to Occupational Health to arrange an Occupational Health appointment.
Social Security officers will let you know if you’re not eligible to participate in the scheme and why.
How much will I be paid, and for how long?
As with any employment, your employer must pay you at least the IOM minimum wage rate for your age. But they may decide to pay you more than this.
You will have to pay the same rate of National Insurance and income tax as other employees.
Your employer will be able to claim financial support from the Government with your wages or salary for up to 52 weeks. This won’t affect you.
Under the scheme rules your employer must provide you with either an open-ended contract of employment or a contract of employment for at least 12 months. Your employer may decide to keep you on after 12 months, if that suits you.
What support will I get?
Soon after your application is submitted and approved, you will be contacted to arrange an occupational health assessment and an initial meeting with one of Treasury’s Disability Employment Advisors.
The occupational health professional will discuss your existing health issues with you, and make recommendations for the types of roles you may be best suited to, and any support that may be helpful to you in obtaining and sustaining employment.
The Employment Advisor will meet with you to understand more about the sort of work you would like to undertake and what skills and experience you have. They can also help you prepare to be matched with an employer; for example, they may help you to prepare or update your CV, or prepare you for interview. It would be helpful if you shared the report from Occupational Health with your Employment Advisor at The Treasury so that they can use the information contained within the report to guide you to the most appropriate opportunity. But you don’t have to share it with The Treasury if you don’t want to, that is up to you.
If you are successful in gaining employment via the scheme, your Employment Advisor will keep in contact with you to make sure the work is going well and to discuss any issues you may have with a view to helping you address them.
You will also be allocated a mentor to provide ongoing support.
What happens if I don’t meet the employer’s expectations and I find myself out of work?
Your Employment Advisor will work with you and your employer and try to help resolve any issues so that you can continue your employment. If this is unsuccessful they will continue to work with you and explore options to find alternative employment.
