• Search
  • You are here:  
  • Home
  • UC
  • WCA changes

Work Capability Assessment (WCA) Latest News

Abolition of the Work Capability Assessment

The WCA is to be scrapped in 2028 and a new single assessment system introduced.  

Under the new system, any extra financial support for health conditions (including PIP, ESA or UC health) will be assessed via a single assessment which will be based on the PIP assessment – considering the impact of disability on daily living, not on capacity to work.

According to the Green Paper, only 63% of people currently receiving the health element of UC or ESA are also in receipt of PIP or DLA.

Reassessments for UC and ESA will be resumed until the WCA is scrapped, with exceptions for those who will never work and those under special rules for end-of-life care. Reassessments have largely been switched off since 2021.

A "Right To Try Guarantee" will be introduced, which will guarantee that attempting work will never lead to a benefits reassessment.

Comments

Write comments...
or post as a guest
People in conversation:
Loading comment... The comment will be refreshed after 00:00.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Egalitarian_Rights_Forum
    · 1 months ago
    I get lower rate PIP. My savings have dropped below £16K. I'm applying for UC with LCWRA or LCW currently not confirmed.

    I've been asked to attend a face to face "first commitments" appointment. Doesn't acceptance of "first commitments" mean that you are bound to seek work?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Cee
    · 4 months ago
    Can anyone help answer this question. For existing claimants of UC on lcw&wra, do the interim changes to wca mean that, as it says above, that this is to make it harder to be found LCW or LCWAWRA. So is that purely for new claimants? 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Mission impossible
    · 5 months ago
    Happy to step in to offer any support once I get my WCA out of the way its stressing me so much 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Anonymous
    · 6 months ago
    Is there any update as to when the new Work Capability Assessment will be introduced in 2025.  I am currently on New Style ESA LCWRA Support group) and PIP.  My benefits are due to be reviewed in the summerr 2025.  I completed the consultation.  If you are not happy with the outcome is the only option to write to your MP?
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      SP66
      · 2 months ago
      @Annemarie Have you thought about maybe applying for pip. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Annemarie
      · 4 months ago
      @Anonymous Am on Lcwra am 61 don’t get pip will l be expected to look for work at my age? Also if you don’t receive pip will
      You lose your Lcwra? Very worried 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    chas
    · 6 months ago
    I have degenerative spine disease and arthritis - i get both elements of PIP too - out of work for a year - DWP phone assessment lasted just 12 mins
    they say I am fit to work - I appealed via MR but they still say they will not change their mind.What should I do next?.The jobcenter want me to keep
    their work search telephone appointments too now, should i tell them no?.. and demand it goes to tribunal stage?..
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Danny64
      · 8 days ago
      @chas Hi chas, please keep your telephone appointments, "do not tell them no", you say they have refused you having done the Mandatory Reconsideration you now have to go through a Tribunal. Please stick with it, best wishes to you.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Katharine
    · 6 months ago
    This page is out of date?

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    f7ac
    · 7 months ago
    Is this up to date?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Bjornsmom
    · 8 months ago
    I was new to UC in May24 when I had to cease (self-employed) work due to severe, pervasive arthritis & impending hip replacement. My income had prior to that, been topped up by WTC so I was given Transitional Protection in moving from a Legacy Benefit to UC (May24).

    I was awarded PIP in October24 and in mid Nov24 LCW was also agreed. 

    The letter that awarded me LCW also CANCELLED & even BACKDATED the cancellation of my Legacy Benefit Transitional Payment. 

    My queries please:
    1. Is it right that this protection can be withdrawn when my health status ie personal circumstances have NOT changed since my initial UC claim? 😩🤨 
    2. What are the possible challenges to this withdrawal decision please? 🤔
    3. Who can help me to do my DWP appeal? 🤔
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Fred
      · 5 months ago
      @Bjornsmom do an MR mandatory reconsideration to appeal the decision. If that's rejected proceed to a tribunal.

    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      chas
      · 6 months ago
      @Bjornsmom is there a benefits advice centre in your area?.. usually run by volunteers who are very knowlegable.
      Try them for advice and support for your DWP appeal - they can offer a video link so you won't have
      to travel to a face to face tribunal.This is what I am facing now.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Bjornsmom
    · 8 months ago
    I was new to UC in May24 when I had to cease (self-employed) work due to severe, pervasive arthritis & impending hip replacement. I was awarded PIP in October and a couple of days ago also had LCW agreed. The letter that awarded me LCW also CANCELLED & even BACKDATED the cancellation of my Legacy Benefit Transitional Payment. Is it right that this protection can be withdrawn when my health status ie personal circumstances have NOT changed since my initial UC claim? 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Bee
    · 8 months ago
    I was new to UC in May24 when I had to cease (self-employed) work due to severe, pervasive arthritis & impending hip replacement.  I was awarded PIP in October and a couple of days ago also had LCW agreed.  The letter that awarded me LCW also CANCELLED & even BACKDATED the cancellation of my Legacy Benefit Transitional Payment.  Is it right that this protection can be withdrawn - HOW/ WHY has my entitlement been withdrawn please? 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Lea Lea
    · 8 months ago
    If I work but on SSP (have been on sick leave for 9+ months) am I entitled to/can I apply for LCWRA? Or is this just if you are unemployed? I cannot seem to find a straight answer. I am also in receipt of PIP if this makes any difference. 
    Thank you in advance 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Richard
    · 9 months ago
    I currently receive UC standard allowance (£393.45) plus LCWRA (£416.19) - total of £809.64 per month. I am mentally ill, but as I have no issues regarding mobility or physically carrying out everyday tasks I am not eligible for PIP. So, if the planned reforms go ahead, my benefits will be slashed by 51%.

    51%!!!!!!

    These policies are cruel and insane. I am fed up of hearing about how the Government doesn't want to do these things but must make 'difficult' decisions to plug a budgetary black hole. Why should we have to pay for other people's political financial mismanagement? I am already mentally at rock bottom, and if they go ahead I honestly don't know how (or even if)I will cope. 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    R
    · 9 months ago
    Everywhere online, information is going around the extra payments for lwcra are being stopped very soon. And you will only get an allowance if you get a job?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Char
    · 11 months ago
    Quick question, I've been waiting for uc to let me know about their decision on LCWRA, Do any of you know the wait times? 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    PhilipCharlesSwift
    · 1 years ago
    I did not ask for, however received, LCWRA 6 years ago, after a 45 minutes face-to-face with a qualified nurse. My health has deteriorated over this time. I had a message in my Universal Credit online journal that I would receive a telephone call to review if I am getting too much or too little welfare/benefits (money). I am very anxious of course as that call is coming in at 11:00 AM today. I was told about it about a week ago.
    I have read some of the comments below (for example, Natashas' comment (https://www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/universal-credit-uc/wca-changes-news#comment-18842)) and I pray and hope they will not remove my LCWRA award.
    Even if nothing changes, it does not stop you from extreme worry and anxiety about any change, especially if you are getting more ill over time; getting worse.
    I'll try and report back after the call.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Mossarti
    · 1 years ago
    Hi. I was recently awarded LCWRA. I have bipolar, fibromyalgia and copd. I have always loved hand stitching and do this when I am able. It’s like a meditation for me and I find it calms me and gives me a sense of pride when I have finished a textile piece. I have been told that as I’m on LCWRA I have a work allowance and that I am allowed to earn some money per month. My concern is if I should sell some of the pieces I make on Instagram on a regular basis but earning under the allowance then would I be at risk of losing my LCWRA? I have rang several advice lines annd they anll have different opinions 🤷‍♀️. 
    Apologies if I have posted this in the wrong place, if so can you please re direct me. 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jamie
      · 11 months ago
      @Mossarti If the amount you earn is over £183.50 a week (permitted work on ESA)and you do not receive pip or ADP then you will lose your lcwra element  and be treated as fit for work otherwise you are still eligible for it. While unlikely to be a problem if you receive lcwra on the grounds of manual dexterity this may be used against at your next assessment 
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      MissPicky82
      · 11 months ago
      @Mossarti I dont think any of the advisors know themselves what the process is. I would get it in writing in your journal, put what you are planning on doing and ask the question - never phone, you want everything in writing so you have written evidence to back you up whatever happens.
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Natasha
    · 1 years ago
    Hi, I was recently (Dec23) awarded LCWRA and upon receiving my decision was also told at the same time (same letter) of the decision from a WCA carried out in March 2019!! The decision was never written on my journal or provided in a letter. DWP apologised for the oversight on their part and for having not informed me!! An oversight of nearly 4 years! Having never been aware of the LCW decision apparently noted as being given in October 2020 from WCA carried out in March 2019. I asked for a MR as my health issues have not changed in the last 5 years and I provided fit notes from 2019 up until Dec 23 when I received decision regards most recent WCA carried out November 23. 

    The MR was declined!! And I now wish to go to appeal although if I’m honest it was so long ago I cannot remember if I even had a WCA. And if I did was definitely not informed of such. Would it not be recorded in my journal that I had completed a WCA?!! And reading through the MR reply I feel points made are very inaccurate and incorrect. I had requested the report from 2020 WCA although only sent 2023 report and informed this was all that was available!! 

    I am very confused about what I should include in my appeal if the WCA was done in 2020 but no record of it exists?? Any help or advice, truly appreciated 
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Colin.
    · 1 years ago
    I have been messaged through my journal about a review of my universal credit,and it's been some years since receiving the lcwra benefit,and I'm unsure what this review will be even though it says to check I'm getting the right amount of benefits, I am just curious 🧐
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Natasha
      · 1 years ago
      @Colin. I had the same about six months ago and was asked to provide ID proof, bank statements and other documents. And told this was to check I was receiving the correct amount although at the time was only receiving standard UC. Apparently it was because during the lock down period many didn’t go through the correct checking process. Although I had provided the necessary documents and went through the usual checking process during the lockdown period. I suffer with extreme anxiety and depression and leading up to the review my health suffered considerably, worrying if I would be told I was not entitled to the standard £320 monthly payment. 

      However all was okay and the review went smoothly although I do not feel the DWP consider the impact these messages can have on a person suffering from mental health issues and feel this could be communicated and dealt with a different approach. I’m sure you’ve nothing to worry about but again I cannot remove the anxiety or worry this is causing for any individual. Good luck 🙌🏽
    • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
      Jane
      · 1 years ago
      @Colin. I too have recieved this message recently and have the initial phone call tomorrow. What did this review entail - is it as I expect that I will likely be reassessed?
  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Birdie799
    · 1 years ago
    Hi. I've not posted here before, so I apologise if this is the wrong place. Both my daughter and I received an inheritance - just over 16000 so had to close our claims - esa for me and uc for her. We have now made new claims - obvs I've applied for UC. My daughters mental health is such that she's exempt from council tax and yet all of a sudden she is now asked to go in for work focused interviews - she has sent off the application for disability and hasn't heard back. This is clearly wrong and having a Serious impact on her mental health - shes a definite suicide risk what can I do?
    As for myself, the same is happening, altho I have physical disability as well as MH issues and I've been claiming Pip for approx 8/9 years. I've not had a form to apply for disability component yet. Is the new system already in play? 
    Any advice  greatfully received! 
    Thankyou.

  • Thank you for your comment. Comments are moderated before being published.
    Carer7
    · 1 years ago
    How do i get my daughter with learning disabilities to understand that she has to work . She cant set an alarm clock or plan a route to work . She would not understand at all . This is just terrible

Free PIP, ESA & UC Updates!

Delivered Fortnightly

Over 110,000 claimants and professionals subscribe to the UK's leading source of benefits news.

 
iContact