Does anyone know the origin of "on the box", meaning claiming sickness (or incapacity) benefit? David in Brierley Hill

Dear David, -----Original Message-----Does anyone know the origin of "on the box", meaning claiming sickness (or incapacity) benefit? 'The box' was where early Friendly Societies kept the subscription money to pay their members when they were off sick. The term probably originated in the 19th century in the North of England. Nigel Brown Wolverhampton ENG-WOR-CRADLEY@rootsweb.com