Changes to the Work Capability Assessment for ESA and UC claimants

All ESA and UC claimants with limited capability for work are currently routinely reassessed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to check that they still meet the qualifying conditions of entitlement.The frequency of the reassessments are set by the DWP, with most claimants being reassessed every year.

Changes will be gradual and commenced September 2017 for ESA claimants in the support group and UC claimants with limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA – the equivalent of the ESA support group).These claimants will not need to be reassessed if, at their next assessment, it is found they have a severe, lifelong disability, illness or health condition and they are unlikely to ever be able to move into work.Claimants will be told after their next reassessment if there will be a need for future assessments.This is likely to be a welcome relief for many PFP clients.

ESA claimants placed in the work-related activity group, and UC claimants who are found to have limited capability for work, will not be affected by this change and they will continue to be reassessed at a time set by the DWP.