The idle poor was a description used under the Poor Law system in Britain. The term described those who were able to work but would not, they were considered undeservng of poor relief. Other classifications included the impotent poor and the able-bodied poor. Under the terms of the Elizabethan Poor Law 1601 poor relief was help given to the poor. ... Impotent poor was a classificiation of poverty used in Britain during the 1600s. ... The able-bodied poor was a classification of the poor widely used during the 1600s in Britain. ...