The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) explained

The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) is how the DWP decides whether your health limits your ability to work. It is used for New Style ESA and for the health element of Universal Credit.

Step 1, a fit note

If you have been ill for more than 7 days, you need a fit note from a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, occupational therapist or physiotherapist. Send it to the DWP, or upload it to your Universal Credit journal. Keep getting new fit notes until you have been assessed.

Step 2, the questionnaire

The DWP sends you a form about how your health affects you:

• ESA50 for ESA
• UC50 for Universal Credit

You usually have 4 weeks to send it back. If you need more time, ask before the deadline.

Tips for the form

• Describe your bad days and how often they happen, not just your good days.
• Say what happens if you try a task: pain, tiredness, risk of falling, panic, or needing to rest afterwards.
• Include evidence: letters from your GP, consultant, mental health team, care plan, or a diary of symptoms.
• Keep a copy of everything you send.

Step 3, the assessment

Most people then have an assessment with a health professional. It can be face to face, by phone or by video. You can take someone with you, and you can ask for the assessment to be audio recorded if you ask in advance.

Some people are treated as having limited capability for work and work-related activity without an assessment, for example if you are terminally ill or having some cancer treatments.

The possible outcomes

The assessment gives points for things like moving around, standing and sitting, using your hands, continence, understanding and learning, coping with change and getting along with people. There are also rules for when working would be a substantial risk to your health, or someone else's.

If you disagree with the decision

1. Ask for a mandatory reconsideration within one month of the decision letter.
2. If the DWP does not change its mind, you can appeal to a tribunal.

Many decisions are changed on appeal. Free advisers, such as Citizens Advice or a local welfare rights service, can help. Our guide to challenging a PIP decision explains the same steps in more detail.

Changes to the WCA

The government plans to abolish the WCA. Under current plans, extra money for health in Universal Credit would then depend on getting the daily living part of PIP. This needs new laws and is not expected before 2028. Read what is changing.