Universal Credit: Work Capability Assessment

(asked on 15th December 2021) - View Source

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many universal credit work capability assessments have been cancelled where the telephone line or other communication channel was deemed inappropriate for the claimant in the last 12 months; and what procedures are in place to ensure that cancelled assessments are promptly referred to an alternative assessment channel.


Answered by
Chloe Smith Portrait
Chloe Smith
This question was answered on 5th January 2022

We do not hold data on cases where an assessment has started and the Healthcare Professional (HCP) has deemed the assessment channel to be inappropriate.

Prior to booking an assessment, HCPs will seek to make a recommendation based on paper evidence. If an assessment is required, HCPs will consider a range of factors including people’s physical and mental health, or whether the claimant has the appropriate access to telephone or video facilities.

There are occasions where an assessment has started, but the HCP is unable to complete the assessment for a variety of reasons, such as the claimant is too unwell to continue or there are mobile phone/internet connection issues. In these circumstances, claimants will be offered an alternative channel on the day (e.g. video to telephone) or a further appointment will be arranged as soon as possible.

Reticulating Splines