The government has launched a consultation on changes to the work capability assessment (WCA) as it applies to Universal Credit and ESA claimants. It is designed to reduce the number of claimants in the ‘limited capability for work-related activity’ (LCWRA) group(support). ''The Health and Disability White Paper explained our plans to legislate for the removal of the WCA. In future there will only be one health and disability functional assessment - the personal independence payment (PIP) assessment. This remains our intention. However, with around 740,000 WCAs taking place in 2022, and with this demand expected to continue, we cannot wait until these reforms roll out. We are consulting on making changes ahead of the White Paper reforms. Given the PIP assessment will be the only assessment used, we are also considering where the WCA can be changed to mirror the PIP assessment criteria.' Possible changes are-
Mobilising- three options for change:
- remove the Mobilising activity entirely (both LCW and LCWRA)
- amend the LCWRA Mobilising descriptor to bring it in line with the equivalent descriptor in PIP - replacing 50 metres with 20 metres for both descriptors within the LCWRA activity
- reduce the points awarded for the LCW Mobilising descriptors.
Absence or loss of bowel/bladder control (Continence)- three options for change:
- remove the Absence or loss of bowel/bladder control (Continence) activity entirely (both LCW and LCWRA)
- amend the LCWRA Absence or loss of bowel/bladder control (Continence) descriptor so that claimants are required to experience symptoms ‘daily’ rather than ‘weekly’
- reduce the points awarded for the LCW Absence or loss of bowel/bladder control (Continence) descriptors
Coping with Social Engagement due to cognitive impairment or mental disorder- two options for change:
- remove the Coping with Social Engagement activity entirely (both LCW and LCWRA) reduce the points awarded for LCW descriptors for Coping with Social Engagement
Getting About (LCW only) - two options for change:
- remove the Getting About activity entirely
- reduce the points awarded for LCW descriptors for Getting About
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