Glossary · UK
What is Limited Capability For Work?
A benefits assessment outcome meaning your illness or disability limits the work you can do, affecting Universal Credit and ESA entitlement.
Full Definition
Limited Capability for Work (LCW) is a status used in the UK benefits system to recognise that a health condition or disability restricts what work a claimant can reasonably do. It is decided through the Work Capability Assessment, which considers how your condition affects everyday activities. There are two related outcomes: LCW, and the more significant Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA), where you are not expected to prepare for or look for work. The status mainly affects Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance, where LCWRA can add an extra amount to your monthly award. It matters because it determines both the money you receive and the work-related conditions you must meet to keep your benefit. Because the specific 2026/27 benefit amounts are set separately and change each year, check the current rates on gov.uk. If you disagree with an assessment decision you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration.