News

The DWP’​s July statistics for new ESA claims reveal that, whilst initial awards remain steady, a high percentage of claimants fail to keep their award on being reassessed.

Figures issued the DWP show that, for all claims between October 2008 and November 2010, the statistics for the work capability assessment (WCA) are:

Support group –​ 7%
Work-related activity group –​ 17%
Fit for work –​ 39%
Claim closed before assessment complete –​ 36%
Assessment still in progress –​ 1%

Taking into account just completed assessments prior to any appeals, the success rates are:

Support group –​ 10%
Work-related activity group –​ 27%
Fit for work –​ 63%

For all repeat assessments that had been completed by February 2011, the success rates are:

Support group –​ 13%
Work-related activity group –​ 54%
Fit for work –​ 33%

This means that one third of claimants who were originally awarded ESA were refused it on reassessment, although it is not clear from the statistics how many of these claimants may have had more than one reassessment in the course of their claim.

What the statistics do underline, however, is that there is no certainty that just because a claimant has passed the WCA in the past they will do so again. Equally, being placed in the support group on initial assessment does not guarantee that you will be placed in it again next time you are assessed.

You can download a full copy of the latest ESA statistics from this link.

Thanks to Papasmurf for alerting us to the latest statistics.