Some benefits contained, until recently, openly discriminatory
provisions to limit women's entitlement to benefit. Invalid Care Allowance, for the carers of
severely disabled people, was barred to married women until a case in the European court
overturned the rule. The Non-Contributory Invalidity Pension, introduced in 1975, was
introduced to help people who did not qualify for National Insurance; but it was at first
refused to married women. Married women became entitled only two years later, subject
to a special condition: they must be substantially impaired in their ability to perform
household duties. After a further year, it was apparently decided that this rule was too
generous, and the regulations were tightened up; married women were only able to claim if
they were unable to perform household duties to any substantial extent. The difference
appears to be slight, but it had a major effect; a woman who was able to do half the
housework would be entitled before the change, but would not be after it. Most of these
provisions have now been struck out under pressure from the European Community.