Work Capability Assessments
This is one part of the process used by the DWP to assess a person’s entitlement to ESA. It starts with the issue of an ESA questionnaire.
The assessment will look at the effects of any health condition or disability on a person’s ability to carry out a range of everyday work-related activities. It will be carried out by a healthcare professional (HCP) who could be a doctor, nurse or a physiotherapist.
The healthcare professional will discuss medical history and activities undertaken in a typical day. This information will be recorded but will not be a word for word record.
A person attending an assessment can bring extra information or medical information with them to assist the healthcare professional with their report. They can bring a companion for help and support who can also supply information.
Where appropriate there may be a physical examination which is designed to assess a person’s function and is not the same as would be encountered in a diagnostic or treatment setting with a GP or Consultant.
Verbal consent will be obtained for any physical examination to proceed, should it be necessary. A person is encouraged to do as much of the examination as they feel comfortable with. There is no necessity to remove items of intimate clothing and sometimes a physical examination is not always required.
Once the healthcare professional has all the necessary information the face-to-face interview ends. The healthcare professional will then take some time evaluating the information obtained, suggesting the most appropriate “descriptors” and writing a justification of their choices, to complete the report for the DWP. [Descriptors are phrases defined by the DWP which are used within a medical report to describe the extent to which a person is able to undertake a particular physical or mental function]
The report is known as an ESA85 and will be sent electronically to the DWP immediately after completion.
Further detailed information about the Work Capability Assessment is contained in the guide produced by the DWP
DWP Statistics can be found HERE
The percentage of people entitled to Employment and Support Allowance is at its highest level.
The percentage of people entitled to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is at its highest level with over half of people completing a Work Capability Assessment eligible for the benefit. Just under half were found fit for work and will be given help to find a job which is suitable for them.
The new figures, published today, show that nearly three in ten people completing a Work Capability Assessment between June and August 2012 were awarded unconditional support through ESA. This compares to just one person in every ten completing an assessment three years ago.
The figures also show that since October 2010, 742,000 people on the old incapacity benefits have been reassessed to see if they are eligible for ESA. Over 203,000 people – or nearly three in every ten – have been found to be capable of work and are no longer eligible for sickness benefits. They will now get long term help from Jobcentre Plus and the Work Programme to find work.
Employment Minister Mark Hoban said:
The improvements we have made to the Work Capability Assessment since 2010 are making a real difference. By continuing to refine the system to make it fairer and more accurate we can ensure that people who are able to work get the encouragement they need to get a job, while those who are too sick to work get real support.
New ESA claims
Outcomes of completed initial assessments of claims started from June to August 2012 show that:
- 52% of claimants were entitled to ESA (23% were placed in the Work Related Activity Group and 29% in the Support Group)
- 48% of claimants were assessed as fit for work
IB reassessment
Outcomes of initial assessments (adjusted to account for outcomes after appeals) for incapacity benefits claimants referred for reassessment between October 2010 and August 2012 show:
- 71% of claimants were entitled to the benefit (41% were placed in the Work Related Activity Group and 30% were placed in the Support Group)
- 29% of claimants were assessed as fit for work and are not entitled to ESA
Quarterly statistics
We publish quarterly statistics for Employment and Support Allowance: Outcomes of Work Capability Assessments, Great Britain.
Appeals figures
Between October 2008 and February 2012:
- DWP made nearly 1.36 million decisions on new ESA claims following a WCA – around 794,000 people were found fit for work
- 39% of people who were found fit for work have had an appeal against the decision decided
- 63% of those appeals were unsuccessful (that is, the original DWP decision was upheld)
- 37% of those appeals were successful
- to date, the tribunal overturned 15% of all fit for work decisions – often because new evidence is produced at appeal which wasn’t available when the original decision was made
More about outcomes
The Work Programme is designed to help people like those who are found fit for work. It offers longer term support over two years for people who are furthest away from the jobs market and who need the most help to eventually move into work.
People who are placed in the support group for ESA are unable to work due to illness or disability and will get the unconditional financial support they need.
People who are placed in the work-related activity group for ESA are currently too ill to work, but with the right help will be able to move into work in the future
People who are found fit for work are not entitled to ESA and will get help to find a job through Jobcentre Plus and the Work Programme
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A guide to Employment and Support Allowance –
The Work Capability Assessment – ESA214
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Work Capability Assessments
Part of Government , Publication
Ad hoc statistical analysis 2012 quarter 3: Work Capability Assessment outcomes.
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Work Capability Assessments
Part of Government , Publication
Ad hoc statistical analysis 2011 quarter 3: Work Capability Assessments outcomes: Medical condition breakdown.
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Work Capability Assessments
Part of Government , Publication
Ad hoc statistical analysis 2012 quarter 3: Analysis of Work Capability Assessment outcomes: update
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Work Capability Assessments for IB reassessment
Part of Government , Publication
Ad hoc statistical analysis 2011 quarter 1: Work Capability Assessments for IB reassessment.
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Research into the outcomes of Work Capability Assessments
Part of Government , Publication
Query about the types of illnesses and conditions dealt with by Atos Medical Assessments and the initial Work Capability Assessment outcomes
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The Work Capability Assessment: a call for evidence
Part of Government , Consultation
Professor Harrington’s call for evidence as part of his first independent review of the Work Capability Assessment.
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Employment and Support Allowance and Work Capability Assessment statistics
Part of Government , Publication
Query about statistics on Employment and Support Allowance and Work Capability Assessment
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Work Capability Assessment independent review – year 3
Part of Government , Publication
Professor Harrington’s third independent review of the Work Capability Assessment
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Work Capability Assessment independent review – year 1
Part of Government , Publication
Professor Harrington’s first independent review of the Work Capability Assessment
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Work Capability Assessment independent review – year 2
Part of Government , Publication
Professor Harrington’s second independent review of the Work Capability Assessment
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Employment and Support Allowance: work capability assessment outcomes made on paper evidence
Part of Government , Publication
Outcomes made on paper evidence of the work capability assessment for Employment and Support Allowance.
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Government response to the Work Capability Assessment independent review – year 1
Part of Government , Publication
Government response to Professor Harrington’s first independent review of the Work Capability Assessment
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Government response to the Work Capability Assessment independent review – year 3
Part of Government , Publication
Government response to Professor Harrington’s third independent review of the Work Capability Assessment
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Government response to the Work Capability Assessment independent review – year 2
Part of Government , Publication
Government response to Professor Harrington’s second independent review of the Work Capability Assessment
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Work Capability Assessment outcomes of Employment and Support Allowance claimants
Part of Government , Publication
Further request for information about Work Capability Assessment outcomes of Employment and Support Allowance claimants.
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Work Capability Assessment independent review audio recording pilot
Part of Government , Publication
Findings from the pilot of audio recordings of Work Capability Assessment face to face assessments.
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Work Capability Assessment independent review – interim report on year one recommendations
Part of Government , Publication
Interim report on the implementation of recommendations in Professor Harrington’s first independent review of the Work Capability Assessment
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Interim results of Work Capability Assessments for Incapacity Benefit reassessment trial areas
Part of Government , Publication
Interim results, from the trial areas in Aberdeen and Burnley, of the Work Capability Assessments for Incapacity Benefit.
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Employment and Support Allowance: work capability assessment outcomes by physical and mental health condition
Part of Government , Publication
Outcomes of the work capability assessment for Employment and Support Allowance as broken down by medical condition.
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An explanation of what figures are available for people who have undergone Work Capability Assessment in a range of counties and details of why the breakdown requested is not currently available
Part of Government , Publication
Request for figures on the number of people that have undergone a Work Capability Assessments in a range of counties
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Employment and Support Allowance: outcomes of Work Capability Assessment
Part of Government , Document series
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Employment and Support Allowance: work capability assessment, October 2010
Part of Government , Publication
Employment and Support Allowance: work capability assessment, January 2011
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Work Capability Assessment: accounting for the effects of cancer treatment
Part of Government , Consultation
This informal consultation sought evidence and views about the assessment of individuals suffering from cancer.
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Work Capability Assessment: Year 2 call for evidence
Part of Government , Consultation
Call for evidence on impact of Year 1 recommendations.
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Work Capability Assessment: Year 3 call for evidence
Part of Government , Consultation
We are seeking feedback about improvements in communications, the face to face assessment and the decision making process.
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ESA214 – A guide to Employment and Support Allowance – the Work Capability Assessment
Part of Government , Publication
Guidance on the medical assessment for getting Employment and Support Allowance.
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Hoban – committed to further improvements to the Work Capability Assessment
Part of Government , News article
Senior occupational physician Dr Paul Litchfield appointed to carry out the fourth independent review of the Work Capability Assessment.
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Work Capability Assessment – fairer and more accurate
Part of Government , News article
The percentage of people entitled to Employment and Support Allowance is at its highest level.
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Employment and Support Allowance: work capability assessment, October 2012
Part of Government , Publication
Statistics on the outcome of completed assessments, claims still in progress and claims closed before the assessment procedure was complete.
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Employment and Support Allowance: work capability assessment, January 2011
Part of Government , Publication
Statistics on the outcome of completed assessments, claims still in progress and claims closed before the assessment procedure was complete.
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Employment and Support Allowance: work capability assessment, July 2010
Part of Government , Publication
Statistics on the outcome of completed assessments, claims still in progress and claims closed before the assessment procedure was complete.
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Employment and Support Allowance: work capability assessment, October 2011
Part of Government , Publication
Statistics on the outcome of completed assessments, claims still in progress and claims closed before the assessment procedure was complete.
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Employment and Support Allowance: work capability assessment, July 2011
Part of Government , Publication
Statistics on the outcome of completed assessments, claims still in progress and claims closed before the assessment procedure was complete.
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Employment and Support Allowance: work capability assessment, January 2012
Part of Government , Publication
Statistics on the outcome of completed assessments, claims still in progress and claims closed before the assessment procedure was complete.
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Employment and Support Allowance: work capability assessment, April 2012
Part of Government , Publication
Statistics on the outcome of completed assessments, claims still in progress and claims closed before the assessment procedure was complete.
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Employment and Support Allowance: work capability assessment, April 2013
Part of Government , Publication
Statistics on the outcome of completed assessments, claims still in progress and claims closed before the assessment procedure was complete.
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Employment and Support Allowance: work capability assessment by health condition and functional impairment
Part of Government , Publication
A supplementary statistical publication containing data on ESA claims to November 2009 and WCA assessments to May 2010.
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Employment and Support Allowance: work capability assessment, January 2013
Part of Government , Publication
Statistics on the outcome of completed assessments, claims still in progress and claims closed before the assessment procedure was complete.
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Employment and Support Allowance: work capability assessment, July 2012
Part of Government , Publication
Statistics on the outcome of completed assessments, claims still in progress and claims closed before the assessment procedure was complete.
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Employment and Support Allowance: work capability assessment, April 2011
Part of Government , Publication
Statistics on the outcome of completed assessments, claims still in progress and claims closed before the assessment procedure was complete.
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Employment and Support Allowance: statistics on reassessments of incapacity benefits – update November 2012
Part of Government , Publication
An update on the outcomes of work capability assessments, part of the incapacity benefits reassessments of Employment and Support Allowance.
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DWP responds to today’s tribunal ruling on the Work Capability Assessment
Part of Government , News article
The department disagrees with today’s tribunal ruling and intends to appeal.
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Renal market: a capability assessment
Part of Government , Publication
Capability analysis of the renal market. Demonstrates how a strategic relationship between government and industry can help both parties.
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More improvements to the Work Capability Assessment will help people with cancer
Part of Government , News article
Improvements to the Work Capability Assessment will mean more people suffering from cancer will get the unconditional help they need.
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Hoban: The Work Capability Assessment continues to improve
Part of Government , News article
Recommendations on further improvements to the Work Capability Assessment were welcomed by the Minister for Employment, Mark Hoban.
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Department for Education: interim capability assessment
Part of Government , Publication
A review providing a summary of the Department’s capability in three key areas: leadership, strategy and delivery.
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Employment and Support Allowance: statistics on reassessments of incapacity benefits, April 2013
Part of Government , Publication
Data on completed work capability assessments, claims still in progress and claims closed before the assessment process is complete.
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Employment and Support Allowance: statistics on reassessments of incapacity benefits, January 2013
Part of Government , Publication
Data on completed work capability assessments, claims still in progress and claims closed before the assessment process is complete.
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Employment and Support Allowance: statistics on reassessments of incapacity benefits, November 2012
Part of Government , Publication
Data on completed work capability assessments, claims still in progress and claims closed before the assessment process is complete.
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Employment and Support Allowance: statistics on reassessments of incapacity benefits, March 2012
Part of Government , Publication
Data on completed work capability assessments, claims still in progress and claims closed before the assessment process is complete.
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