The latest statistics from the DWP show that almost two thirds of new claimants are placed in the support group, whilst that figure rises to 83% for repeat work capability assessments (WCAs).
The figures show that in the quarter to September 2019 11% fewer claimants completed their initial WCA, while repeat assessments increased by 4%, when compared to the previous quarter
22,000 claimants completed an initial WCA. Of these
62% were assigned to Support Group (SG),
16% to Work Related Activity Group (WRAG) and
22% to Fit for Work (FFW) status
For ESA repeat assessments, the figures are:
83% support group
12% work-related activity group
5% fit for work
Remarkably, there are still some claimants being transferred from incapacity benefit to ESA, though there were fewer than a hundred of these in the latest quarter.
Whilst the number of ESA mandatory reconsiderations and appeals has been falling for years, the success rates for claimants have generally increased.
The number of registered mandatory reconsiderations decreased from 3,700 in October 2019 to 2,400 in January 2020.
48% of completed mandatory reconsiderations resulted in a change in the decision in January 2020. The success rate for mandatory reconsiderations for ESA has risen considerably. Up until January 2018 it remained below 17%. However, successes have generally been on an upward path since then, although January 2020 saw a small fall.
The number of appeals completed on initial fit for work outcomes has decreased to 430 in the quarter to December 2018. Of these decisions, 73% were successful at appeal.
