about disability rights uk advisers benefits coalition on charging contact da disability benefits consortium home links membership policy and campaigns search shop site map skill website support da tax credits what's new

Employment and support allowance (ESA) statistics

27 July 2010

Key findings are.

Work Capability Assessment (WCA) results for all ESA Claims

For all new ESA claims from October 2008 to November 2009, the breakdown of the DWP decision at initial assessment (by the end of May 2010) is as follows:

• Support Group - 6%
• Work Related Activity Group -14%
• Fit for Work - 39%
• Claim closed before assessment complete - 37%
• Assessment still in progress - 4%

WCA results for all completed assessments

For all completed initial assessments (not including assessments still in progress or people who left ESA before completing assessment) to the end of May 2010 the breakdown of the DWP decision at initial assessment is as follows:

• Support Group – 10%
• Work Related Activity Group - 24%
• Fit for Work - 66%

WCA Appeals

Of people who made a claim for ESA between October 2008 and June 2009 and who were found Fit for Work at assessment, 32% have had an appeal heard by Tribunals Service to date. The original decision made by DWP has been confirmed for 60% of these appeals heard.

More information

• benefits health test to face urgent review – Guardian article based on new statistics
• esa statistics - DWP website

back