News

16 February 2011

Benefits and Work has created an online form which allows you to assess yourself using the new work capability assessment just by clicking with your mouse  . . . rather like an Atos health professional

The new test comes into force on 28th March, but the DWP have said that they will begin sending out ESA50 questionnaires relating to the new test from 14th March.  Anyone who receives the current ESA50 will still be assessed using the current work capability assessment, even if their medical takes place after 28 March.

Our online test takes you through the work capability assessment, the test used to decide whether you are eligible for employment and support allowance, and if so, whether you should be in the work-related activity group (WRAG) or the support group.

It covers:

Points for the work-related activity group
Descriptors for the support group
Exemptions
Exceptional circumstances

Benefits and Work members also have access to Help notes equivalent to 9 A4 pages to help them make the most accurate assessment. 

But please be aware that a decision maker using a report from an Atos health professional may not reach the same conclusion that you do about your eligibility for employment and support allowance.

Our online test will tell you whether you assess yourself as being eligible for ESA and if so in which group. 

If you assess yourself as being in the support group, it will also tell you the ways in which you qualified for the work-related activity group. Many people may potentially qualify for the work-related activity group in more than one way – for example by scoring two different 15 point descriptors or by being covered by the exceptional circumstances rules, as well as scoring points. 

If you know the different ways you may qualify, you can ensure you give evidence about all of them in your questionnaire and at your medical, in case your evidence relating to the support group or one way of qualifying for the WRAG is not accepted.

The test is anonymous and the results will appear in your browser as soon as you have completed the four pages of multiple choice questions.  But, if you wish, you can also have your results emailed to you.

You can start the test here BUT PLEASE NOTE using the back button will delete the answers you have given and if you spend more than about 10 minutes on a page the form will time out.
Good luck.