Guidance

Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit: changes to the Work Capability Assessment from 29 September 2017

Published 29 September 2017

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment-and-support-allowance-and-universal-credit-changes-to-the-work-capability-assessment/employment-and-support-allowance-and-universal-credit-changes-to-the-work-capability-assessment-from-29-september-2017

1. Changes to the Work Capability Assessment (WCA)

From 29 September 2017, the WCA reassessment criteria will change for some Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit (UC) claimants.

ESA claimants in the support group and UC claimants with limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) attending a Work Capability Assessment from 29 September 2017 will no longer need to be reassessed if it finds that they:

  • have a severe, lifelong disability, illness or health condition
  • are unlikely to ever be able to move into work

Claimants will be told if they will not be reassessed following their WCA.

This change does not affect:

  • ESA claimants placed in the work-related activity group
  • UC claimants who are found to have limited capability for work

2. Background information

Reassessment periods

Reassessment periods are decided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) on the basis of a claimant’s functional capacity. DWP is advised by healthcare professionals on:

  • the assessment of a claimant’s health condition or disability
  • the long-term effects of a claimant’s health condition or disability
  • when and if claimants should be reassessed

If a claimant’s health condition or disability gets worse

ESA claimants in the work-related activity group can request a WCA if they think that their condition has worsened to the extent that they should be placed in the support group.

UC claimants with limited capability for work can request a WCA if they think that their condition has worsened to the extent that they should be placed in the LCWRA group.

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