ESA - WCA outcomes to June 2016

Anchoress

Apologies if this has already been posted. Might be of interest.
Made me realise how difficult it is to get into the support group now.

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/575604/esa-wca-summary-december-2016.pdf

TELLIT01

I was shocked by how many are going into the Support Group, not how few. Disregarding those transferred from IB, the initial expectation was that no more than 10% of ESA claimants would be placed in the Support Group.

Anchoress

Yes sorry, re-reading what I wrote, I meant for those who don't have a clear cut case and ask for a MR.

TELLIT01

Anchoress wrote: »

Yes sorry, re-reading what I wrote, I meant for those who don't have a clear cut case and ask for a MR.

OK, that's a different matter:) It is rare, but not impossible, that a DM will change the original decision. Not that surprising really given that another DM will have made that original decision and they should all be working to the same guidelines.
In many cases, once a DM has actually spoken to a claimant, explained how the system works and why they don't qualify for ESA, the claimant accepts the decision. In many cases they are obviously not happy but acknowledge that it would be pointless to take it further.
There is understandable confusion for the claimant when a doctor provides them with a certificate which they interpret as saying they are not fit for work, and the DM declares that they are.
It all comes down to the underlying basis of the Work Capability Assessment, which is to determine if they are capable of doing any type of work, not just that which they currently do.