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Original poster

Work capability assessment changes

163 replies

Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 13:42

Does anyone know anything about this please? Have seen something in the media about it. A change or removal of the WCA for ESA (UC?)

I'm in the support group for ESA, will this affect me? I'm in the group where they say they will not assess them anymore.

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 19:47

bump

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 19:49

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk/news/wca-to-be-abolished,-claims-to-be-sanctioned-by-bots

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 13/03/2023 20:16

There is not much info on this. I tried to look. I have read different things... like it means you will be assessed to see what work you can do instead of just being declared unfit for work, or there will be no extra payment for being too sick to work (so no need for WCA).
I am in LCWRA, and am terrified at the changes that might be coming. I do not claim PIP, and another change might be is that you only get extra UC if you are PIP too.

We will just have to see what is announced this week.

Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 13/03/2023 20:43

Yes. Hopefully nothing too bad.

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 13/03/2023 20:54

XenoBitch · 13/03/2023 20:16

There is not much info on this. I tried to look. I have read different things... like it means you will be assessed to see what work you can do instead of just being declared unfit for work, or there will be no extra payment for being too sick to work (so no need for WCA).
I am in LCWRA, and am terrified at the changes that might be coming. I do not claim PIP, and another change might be is that you only get extra UC if you are PIP too.

We will just have to see what is announced this week.

Yes sounds a bit like they are wanting to go back to more like a severe disability premium like on legacy benefits. I used to work for macmillan though and people going though Chemotherapy or radiotherapy who desperately need extra money for travel costs to treatments and extra heating etc were automatically awarded LCWRA but may not meet the criteria for PIP if just going through treatment for a few months. Not sure what would happen to people in this situation if LCWRA was linked to PIP. It's a worry.

Kerrybemmy · 15/03/2023 11:54

People who are LCWRA or the Support Group still have to have assessments being in that group doesn't mean you are written off sick for the rest of your life. PIP and WCA will be combined in some way, if someone is in the Support Group/LCWRA(obviously the name will be changed) and gets PIP enhanced on at least one componant, they will be classes as unfit to work. People getting just SG/LCWRA will be given a work coach to help them find work that they are capable of doing, for example an agoraphobic can work from home. LCW/WRAG is getting scrapped completely, there will be no such thing.

Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 15/03/2023 12:16

There was actually a change so that some people with conditions which are severe and they don't think will improve were made exempt from further ESA assessments. I will try and find something about this.

OP posts:
Original poster
Orangesandlemons77 · 15/03/2023 12:19

there's lots there if you google it. From around 2018

OP posts:
SouthCountryGirl · 15/03/2023 13:38

Kerrybemmy · 15/03/2023 11:54

People who are LCWRA or the Support Group still have to have assessments being in that group doesn't mean you are written off sick for the rest of your life. PIP and WCA will be combined in some way, if someone is in the Support Group/LCWRA(obviously the name will be changed) and gets PIP enhanced on at least one componant, they will be classes as unfit to work. People getting just SG/LCWRA will be given a work coach to help them find work that they are capable of doing, for example an agoraphobic can work from home. LCW/WRAG is getting scrapped completely, there will be no such thing.

Do you have a source regarding those receiving just SG/LCWRA?

Eightiesgirl · 15/03/2023 13:41

@Kerrybemmy my husband only gets standard rate pip so will he be treated differently to someone who receives enhanced pip as per your post?

Eightiesgirl · 15/03/2023 13:46

@Kerrybemmy yes, as Southcountrygirl says, do you have a link to the information that says only people on enhanced PIP will not be required to now have a work coach? What about people on standard rate PIP and people in ESA Support Group and currently classed as LCW? This budget was about as clear as mud!

RumHam · 15/03/2023 14:12

I'm worried so much about this too! I'm on SG ESA and enhanced PIP for both daily living and mobility. I've been on ESA for about 10+ years in SG so I'm definitely one of the long term disabled claimaints they mentioned in the budget! Yet another thing to worry about. I wonder when the WCA will be abolished? I haven't had an ESA assessment in about 5 years but my PIP review starts this Aug again. As much as I hate assessments, part of me would rather still have one to show them all the evidence I have. I wish the report today was clearer.

Eightiesgirl · 15/03/2023 14:25

@RumHam Don't panic. Have a look on the GOV. UK website at the disability white paper. It sets it all out on there. Because you get PIP you won't have to work, you'll be put into the new UC disability group that's replacing LCW etc

Eightiesgirl · 15/03/2023 14:38

Just reading this White Paper and it doesn't state anything about ESA. Basically, unless you receive any element of PIP you will lose the extra LCW payment added to UC. We all know how difficult it is to get approved for PIP, so there are going to be lots of people who are hit financially because of this new system.

ArcticSkewer · 15/03/2023 14:47

It's not just the financial hit. I work full time but a family member is in the support group. I can't take time off work all the time just to make sure they attend appointments or answer the phone to some work coach! They used to get sanctioned all the time until I stepped in and sorted their claim properly.

Eightiesgirl · 15/03/2023 15:03

@ArcticSkewer I think you need to get this relative applying for PIP asap, then the work coach won't be phoning them.

ArcticSkewer · 15/03/2023 15:11

Eightiesgirl · 15/03/2023 15:03

@ArcticSkewer I think you need to get this relative applying for PIP asap, then the work coach won't be phoning them.

Thanks @Eightiesgirl but they are on pip but just standard rate. I can't be bothered with the faff of trying to get enhanced, I find it stressful enough as it is. I'm sure you know what the system is like - it's hard enough to get pip at all! We usually end up at tribunal before it's awarded. So depressing.

ArcticSkewer · 15/03/2023 15:12

My problem is that my relative has severe mental health issues and isn't capable of filling the forms or remembering to do any of the paperwork.

danni0509 · 15/03/2023 15:25

I’ve just read it all. From my understanding and happy to be corrected if I’m wrong.

The WCA is being abolished, so lcw / lcwra won’t exist, they are bringing a new payment out called the ‘health element’ under uc, and you will only receive that if you are on pip. So pip is the benefit you need to qualify for the health element, pip assessments will still be as normal.

It’s not immediately, 2026/2027 at the earliest and that’s for new claims, the full roll out is to be expected for 2029 (at the earliest). I will add some links / parts of the text from the disability white paper I’ve copied and pasted.

156. The degree of change in our proposals will require primary legislation, which we would aim to take forward in a new Parliament when parliamentary time allows. These reforms would then be rolled out, to new claims only, on a staged, geographical basis from no earlier than 2026/27. We would expect the new claims roll-out to be completed within three years (so by 2029 at the earliest), when we would then begin to move the existing caseload on to the new system.

Link to where i read it.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/transforming-support-the-health-and-disability-white-paper/transforming-support-the-health-and-disability-white-paper

Hope this helps people from stressing about it happening next week like the media have made it sound like!

ArcticSkewer · 15/03/2023 15:25

I will try not to worry about it before ot happens. These things always send me into a doom spiral

Eightiesgirl · 15/03/2023 15:33

@ArcticSkewer I know it's so worrying isn't it? The fact that your relative is on PIP, even just standard rate, means that, according to the new white paper, they should not be required to seek work, so definitely shouldn't have a work coach bothering them. My husband is in the same position, severe mental health issues and is in receipt of only standard rate PIP. He's always just one point off enhanced, but I also can't summon up the energy to appeal and we just gratefully accept the fact he's been awarded anything.

Eightiesgirl · 15/03/2023 15:35

@danni0509 thank you so much for that information.

ChangeOfName22 · 15/03/2023 15:48

PIP is notorious for being difficult to get.. I think it will mean a lot of people lose out.. however looks like it's going to take years to implement.. by which time we'll probably have a Labour govt.. and these changes could then be scrapped

I'd say don't worry for the meantime

Babyroobs · 15/03/2023 15:49

danni0509 · 15/03/2023 15:25

I’ve just read it all. From my understanding and happy to be corrected if I’m wrong.

The WCA is being abolished, so lcw / lcwra won’t exist, they are bringing a new payment out called the ‘health element’ under uc, and you will only receive that if you are on pip. So pip is the benefit you need to qualify for the health element, pip assessments will still be as normal.

It’s not immediately, 2026/2027 at the earliest and that’s for new claims, the full roll out is to be expected for 2029 (at the earliest). I will add some links / parts of the text from the disability white paper I’ve copied and pasted.

156. The degree of change in our proposals will require primary legislation, which we would aim to take forward in a new Parliament when parliamentary time allows. These reforms would then be rolled out, to new claims only, on a staged, geographical basis from no earlier than 2026/27. We would expect the new claims roll-out to be completed within three years (so by 2029 at the earliest), when we would then begin to move the existing caseload on to the new system.

Link to where i read it.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/transforming-support-the-health-and-disability-white-paper/transforming-support-the-health-and-disability-white-paper

Hope this helps people from stressing about it happening next week like the media have made it sound like!

How much harder are they going to make it to get a PIP award though if it is going to automatically passport to this health element? that is my worry. the current PIP system can't cope, there are already thousands of extra claims being made and renewals are taking years. I suspect PIP claims will take even longer even if they move all those ESA / UC assessors over to PIP !

danni0509 · 15/03/2023 15:55

Babyroobs · 15/03/2023 15:49

How much harder are they going to make it to get a PIP award though if it is going to automatically passport to this health element? that is my worry. the current PIP system can't cope, there are already thousands of extra claims being made and renewals are taking years. I suspect PIP claims will take even longer even if they move all those ESA / UC assessors over to PIP !

Show quote history

I know. I said this to my mum. They know exactly what they are doing don’t they.

There is some info further down the white paper regarding trying to make the pip procedure easier to claim with shorter waiting times and all assessments being recorded as standard, but I’ll see it and believe it.