Work Capability Assessment delays are leaving disabled people in limbo

Disabled people can get extra support under Universal Credit (UC) if they’re found eligible after a Work Capability Assessment (WCA). But many of those who come to Citizens Advice are waiting months, if not over a year, for this assessment. In the meantime, many struggle to afford essential costs and risk being pushed into poverty.

What are WCAs?

WCAs are used to decide whether someone on UC with a disability or health condition can work. There are 3 possible outcomes to a WCA:

• A claimant can be found fit for work, which means they’ll have to engage with the Jobcentre and look for a job
• They could be found to have limited capability for work (LCW). They won’t have to look for work, but will have to prepare for it
• If their condition severely limits their ability to work, they can be found to have limited capability for work or work-related activity (LCWRA). This means they don’t have to look or prepare for work and get an extra £423.27 a month. This payment is also known as the UC health element

Many claimants who have a WCA will be reassessed in the future. This can be requested by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to check if someone’s condition has improved. Claimants can also ask for a reassessment.

Many WCA reassessments are being delayed

Our advisers have seen more and more people whose WCAs are delayed. So far this year, there’s been a 21% increase in the number of people coming to Citizens Advice for help with a delayed WCA, compared to the same period in 2024. Advisers say that most people aren’t told by the DWP that their assessment may be delayed, and aren’t given an explanation for the delay. Our advisers say this is particularly affecting reassessments.

Delayed reassessments leave claimants struggling

People usually ask for a WCA reassessment because their previous assessment didn’t find them eligible for the UC health payment. But their health has declined since then. This puts them in a very vulnerable position if they’re suddenly unable to work or need to pay for extra disability aids or care.

If you’re disabled, missing out on the extra UC health payment and having to prepare or look for work can be a serious burden — particularly if your condition is worsening. Our advisers tell us that some people are forced to rely on food banks and charitable support while they wait for a reassessment.

George* is a single parent claiming UC. He suffers from chronic pain and other long-term health conditions that make daily activities difficult.

After his first WCA, George was placed into the LCW category, but his health deteriorated, and he had to start using a feeding tube. Last year, after submitting sick notes, he was referred for a reassessment. He came to Citizens Advice for help submitting evidence. Shortly after this appointment, George was hospitalised for several weeks.

4 months later, George had yet to have a WCA. An adviser contacted the assessment service but was only told that the assessor was aware they needed to arrange an appointment.

George came back to Citizens Advice after waiting for over a year. He still hadn’t heard anything about his WCA. In that time, he had started relying on a feeding tube 23 hours a day and was still expected to engage with the Jobcentre.

Why are WCA reassessments delayed?

The government prioritises WCAs for new claimants over reassessments. The number of reassessments the DWP can process depends on its capacity. Between January and May this year, only 7% of WCA decisions were from reassessments, compared to 19% in the same period of 2024. Earlier this year, the DWP said it would be working to increase the number of reassessments being done. This includes increasing recruitment, retention and training of staff.

With demand for WCAs expected to increase, it remains to be seen whether this will be enough. In April 2026, the government plans to cut the UC health element from £97 to £50 a week for new claimants. To protect themselves from this cut, some people are likely to claim UC health or ask for a reassessment before this date. This will further increase demand for WCAs.

The government must take action to protect disabled people

The UC health element gives disabled people extra income and means they aren’t required to look for or prepare for work. Both of these are things which would greatly benefit people like George, whose health has deteriorated.

As the cut to the UC health element looms closer, demand for WCA reassessments looks set to increase. If the DWP does not increase capacity urgently, disabled claimants will be stuck in limbo, struggling with essential costs and standing on the cliff-edge of poverty.

*All names have been changed