Questions asked if department can ‘ensure that disabled people are not left without financial support’
The Department for Work and Pensions has issued an update on work capability assessments amid concerns over delays. A Work Capability Assessment (WCA) determines how a physical or mental health condition impacts your ability to work, affecting eligibility for Universal Credit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
The process involves filling out a capability for work questionnaire and potentially attending a medical assessment, usually after a 28-day, 13-week, or immediate assessment phase. At Work and Pensioons questions this week Liberal Democrat Manuela Perteghella asked what assessment Secretary of State Pat McFadden “has made of the potential impact of work capability assessment clearance times of over two years on claimants.”
The Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms said: “A backlog of reassessments for the work capability assessment did build up during 2024. I am pleased to say that that backlog will have been almost entirely cleared by the end of this month.”
However, Ms Perteghella added: “Research from Scope found that, in 2025, only 7% of work capability assessments carried out were reassessments for existing claimants, compared with 19% the previous year. One of my constituents has experienced a significant deterioration in their health and urgently requires reassessment to determine whether they should now receive the limited capability for work and work-related activity element of universal credit. What further urgent actions will the Minister take to reduce waiting times and ensure that disabled people are not left without financial support?”
Sir Stephen said: “The hon. Lady is right to raise this matter. She is also right that the Department prioritises initial assessments, so that people without any support at all get it as soon as possible. Reassessments are then carried out when there is capacity. As I said, the backlog that built up towards the end of 2024 will have been almost entirely cleared by the end of this month. If there is still a problem in the case of her constituent, I would be grateful if she dropped me a line.”
Disabiility Rights UK has said: “The ‘work capability assessment’ (WCA) is very important for universal credit. It finds out what work-related conditions you must meet to keep getting the benefit in full. If you are found to have a ‘ limited capability for work ’ in the assessment, your work-related conditions will be limited. If you are found to have a ‘ limited capability for work-related activity ’ in the assessment, none of the work-related conditions will apply to you, and you will also be entitled to the work capability amount.”
The group said the government is planing to abolish the work capability assessment in 2028. It added: “From then on, any extra health-related support in universal credit (to replace the current work capability amount) will be based on your eligibility to the daily living component of personal independence payment.”
Secretary of state for work and pensions Pat McFadden earlier this year confirmed to the Commons work and pensions committee that the work capability assessment (WCA) will to be abolished, but was unable to explain when or how this will happen.
He said: “Due to its link with the PIP assessment, WCA abolition will not happen until after the Timms Review into the PIP assessment has concluded and any recommendations have been made. In the meantime, work is continuing to determine the detail of how this reformed system would work and discussions are also ongoing with the Scottish Government regarding the interactions between the devolved and reserved systems. We will outline further details on the reformed system, and the timing of WCA abolition, in due course.”