Glossary · UK
What is Work Capability Assessment (WCA)?
The DWP assessment used to decide whether a health condition or disability limits someone's ability to work, determining eligibility for Employment and Support Allowance or the Universal Credit limited capability for work element.
Full Definition
The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) is the process the Department for Work and Pensions uses to decide whether a claimant has limited capability for work (LCW) or limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA), and therefore whether they qualify for Employment and Support Allowance or the equivalent elements within Universal Credit. The assessment is typically carried out on behalf of the DWP by an independent healthcare assessment provider, based on a detailed questionnaire (the ESA50 or UC50) about how a condition affects everyday activities such as mobility, communication and coping with change, often followed by a telephone, video or face-to-face consultation with an approved healthcare professional. Scores are allocated against a set of descriptors covering physical and mental function; reaching the qualifying score places a claimant in the work-related activity group (some work-related activity expected) or, for the most limiting conditions, the support group (no work-related requirements). Claimants who disagree with the outcome can ask for a Mandatory Reconsideration and, if still unsuccessful, appeal to an independent tribunal, and a substantial proportion of appealed decisions are overturned in the claimant's favour.