Guidance

Changes to limited capability for work payments in Universal Credit

Updated 22 February 2019

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This guidance explains a change from 3 April 2017 that affects the additional payment made to some Universal Credit claimants who are found to have limited capability for work following a Work Capability Assessment (WCA).

Work Capability Assessments

Universal Credit claimants may be asked to attend a WCA to find out if their health condition or disability affects their ability to work. A decision-maker will use the outcome of the WCA to decide if the claimant:

  • is fit for work
  • has limited capability for work – this means the claimant will not have to look for work, but will need to take steps to prepare for work
  • has limited capability for work and work-related activity – this means the claimant will not be asked to look for or prepare for work

Find out more about Universal Credit if you have a disability or health condition.

Changes to limited capability for work payments from 3 April 2017

A claimant with a health condition or disability who makes a claim for Universal Credit on or after 3 April 2017, and who is found to have limited capability for work following a WCA, will not get any additional payment of Universal Credit.

Some claimants will not be affected by the change. This includes:

  • existing claimants who are getting the limited capability for work payment in Universal Credit before 3 April 2017
  • existing Universal Credit claimants who make a claim before 3 April 2017 on the grounds of having a health condition or disability and are later found to have limited capability for work following a WCA
  • existing Universal Credit claimants who were found to have limited capability for work and work-related activity before 3 April 2017 and who, following a further WCA on review on or after 3 April 2017, are then assessed as having limited capability for work
  • existing claimants who made their claim to Universal Credit before 3 April 2017 and are found fit for work, who request a mandatory reconsideration or appeal and are then found to have limited capability for work
  • existing Universal Credit claimants who were receiving Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) immediately before they claimed UC and their ESA claim was made before 3 April 2017 and who have not been found fit for work
  • existing Universal Credit claimants who were getting ESA immediately before they claimed UC and their ESA claim was made before 3 April 2017, who are found fit for work, but after requesting a mandatory reconsideration or appeal are then found to have limited capability for work

The changes from 3 April 2017 do not affect claimants who are found to have limited capability for work and work-related activity. They will still get the limited capability for work and work-related activity payment of Universal Credit.

Changes in health conditions

Claimants must let Universal Credit know if:

  • their condition has got better
  • their condition has got worse
  • they have a new health condition

If claimants don’t tell Universal Credit straightaway about these changes they could be paid more or less money than they should. They may have to pay back any money they are overpaid.

Claimants can report changes in health conditions by using their Universal Credit online account.

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