Universal Credit: Work Capability Assessment

(asked on 14th November 2018) - View Source

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many universal credit claimants have waited three months or longer for a work capability assessment after their completed UC50 form has been received by the Health Assessment Advisory Service in the latest period for which figures are available.


Answered by
Sarah Newton Portrait
Sarah Newton
This question was answered on 6th December 2018

The information requested is not held for all assessments, however, data can be provided in relation to the number of face to face assessments undertaken.

In October 2018, 14,356 Universal Credit claimants had their initial Work Capability Assessment (WCA) completed by face to face assessment.

Of these, 703 (less than 5%) waited 3 months or longer following the date from which they returned their UC50 form. There are a number of reasons for a delay to an assessment including non-attendance and cancellation of the appointment by the claimant.

Whilst claimants are waiting for their work capability assessment decision, they continue to receive their standard allowance of Universal Credit, providing they continue to meet the requirements for a claim to benefit.

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