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515024

	registered interest
	date	22/04/2016
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Work Capability Assessment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will review the language and terminology used in written communications to people attending personal independence payment or work capability assessments to ensure that those communications are readily understood by recipients.
	tabling member constituency	Kilmarnock and Loudoun
	tabling member printed	Alan Brown
	uin	35152
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 27/04/2016 answer text <p>We are undertaking a full review of PIP and ESA communication products and messages. This work includes customer testing to ensure that the language and terminology used is clearly understood by recipients.</p><p> </p><p>As part of our work to review claimant communications we are working with our Health Assessment Providers for PIP and ESA, to align the notifications sent to claimants invited to attend a face-to-face consultation with content produced by the Department.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 27/04/2016 09:08:49 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4470 label Biography information for Alan Brown

1293718

	registered interest
	date	01/03/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Work Capability Assessment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to people on universal credit and employment and support allowance who have been told that they have to wait for face-to-face work capability assessments to resume before they can be assessed, what additional support is available to help claimants identified as not suitable for a telephone consultation, according to the specifications outlined in the CHDA COVID-19 Filework process document of 15 May 2020, to manage their health condition or disability while they are without additional support from their benefits income.
	tabling member constituency	Enfield, Southgate
	tabling member printed	Bambos Charalambous
	uin	160762
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/03/2021 answer text <p>The health and safety of our claimants and staff is our key priority. We suspended all face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability benefits in March 2020. This temporary suspension, brought in to protect people from unnecessary risk of coronavirus at the outset of the pandemic, remains in place, and is being kept under review in line with the latest public health guidance.</p><p> </p><p>Throughout the pandemic we have continued to assess people on paper evidence, using this route whenever possible. We are aware there are some claimants who are unable to undertake a telephone assessment because of their health condition and we are currently developing ways in which we can support these individuals. We also continue to undertake some video assessments where appropriate.</p><p> </p><p>Individuals invited for a telephone assessment are encouraged to inform their assessment provider of any additional requirements they may have, and the provider will endeavour to meet any reasonable requests. This is explained to the individual in the initial invitation letter for all telephone assessments. For example, companions are able to join a telephone assessment, as they could for a face to face assessment.</p><p> </p><p>Where a claimant is unable to undertake a telephone assessment because of their health condition, they remain on their current award until we are able to gather the evidence needed for a recommendation to be made or, in contributory ESA, until their benefit is due to end.</p><p> </p><p>As ever, claimants should get in touch if their health condition has worsened or they are experiencing financial hardship.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson grouped question UIN 160755 question first answered 09/03/2021 13:55:40 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4610 label Biography information for Bambos Charalambous

1296779

	registered interest
	date	02/03/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Work Capability Assessment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate her Department has made of the number of (a) universal credit and (b) employment support allowance claimants who were not (i) offered and (ii) deemed suitable for a a virtual or telephone Work Capability Assessment during 2020.
	tabling member constituency	Enfield, Southgate
	tabling member printed	Bambos Charalambous
	uin	161833
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 10/03/2021 answer text <p>The data you have requested is not available.</p><p> </p><p>Face to face assessments for health and disability benefits are currently suspended in line with public health advice. We continue to complete paper-based assessments and make recommendations based on the written evidence available, as often as we are able to.</p><p> </p><p>Where a case cannot be progressed by a paper-based assessment, a telephone assessment will be conducted, where appropriate to do so. Telephone assessments were introduced during the pandemic, as part of the Covid-19 response and we are working hard to increase the number of people able to participate in these assessments. We also undertake some video assessments, where appropriate.</p><p>The suspension of face to face assessments is regularly reviewed in line with the latest public health guidance and will recommence as soon as it is safe to do so. Claimants who cannot be assessed by telephone or video because of their health condition will be prioritised when we are able to safely resume face to face assessments.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 10/03/2021 13:30:17 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4610 label Biography information for Bambos Charalambous

1342471

	registered interest
	date	30/06/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Work Capability Assessment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason carers of people with profound disabilities are required to complete the capability for work questionnaire on multiple occasions.
	tabling member constituency	Kingston upon Hull North
	tabling member printed	Dame Diana Johnson
	uin	24923
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/07/2021 answer text <p>As part of the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) most claimants are required to complete a health questionnaire which allows them (or the person completing it on their behalf) to explain the impact of their disability or health condition. It is also important in helping us to establish if they can be assessed solely on the available paper evidence. Where we can, we will always conduct an assessment based on the paper evidence provided by the claimant and their supporting professionals.</p><p> </p><p>WCA reassessments are designed to ensure that claimants receive appropriate financial support and are set the appropriate level of work-related requirements, and take account of changes in how health conditions and disabilities affect people over time. We want to ensure claimants who can work are supported to do so, and reassessments are an important part of that process.</p><p> </p><p>However, since September 2017 people found to have limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) who have the most severe and lifelong health conditions or disabilities, and whose level of function would always mean they are unlikely ever to be able to move into work, are no longer routinely reassessed.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 05/07/2021 15:20:43 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	1533 label Biography information for Dame Diana Johnson

1277718

	registered interest
	date	18/01/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Work Capability Assessment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support people with a recently diagnosed condition who as a result of their condition cannot undertake a telephone consultation.
	tabling member constituency	Angus
	tabling member printed	Dave Doogan
	uin	139138
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 21/01/2021 answer text <p>The health and safety of our claimants and staff is our key priority. As a result, all face to face assessments for sickness and disability benefits have remained suspended since March 2020.</p><p> </p><p>We are assessing as many people as we are able to on paper evidence or via telephone assessments. Individuals invited for a telephone assessment are encouraged to inform their assessment provider of any additional requirements they may have, and the provider will endeavour to meet any reasonable requests. This is explained to the individual in the initial invitation letter for all telephone assessments. For example, companions are able to join a telephone assessment, as they could for a face to face assessment.</p><p> </p><p>There will be some claimants for whom unfortunately there is insufficient evidence to make a decision on paper and who are unable to undertake a telephone assessment because of their health condition. We continue to develop and implement ways in which we can safely assess these individuals. For example, we are currently testing ways of supporting claimants with speech and hearing difficulties to safely participate in telephone assessments and continue to test video assessments. Claimants who we are unable to assess by telephone or video because of their health condition, in particular those not entitled to UC, will be prioritised when we are able to safely resume face to face assessments.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson grouped question UIN 139137 question first answered 21/01/2021 16:41:43 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4736 label Biography information for Dave Doogan

1306334

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Work Capability Assessment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants moved from the Limited Capability for Work group to the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity group in 2020 following a reassessment triggered by the submission of new medical evidence.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow East
	tabling member printed	David Linden
	uin	176012
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/04/2021 answer text <p>The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 13/04/2021 14:51:30 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4640 label Biography information for David Linden

1306336

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Work Capability Assessment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will award claimants moving from the Limited Capability for Work (LCW) group to the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) group backdated payments from the date on which new medical evidence is submitted rather than from the date on which a decision is made, in line with awards given to people placed in the LCWRA group following their first work capability assessment.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow East
	tabling member printed	David Linden
	uin	176013
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/04/2021 answer text <p>Limited Capability for Work (LCW) and Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) apply both in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit (UC). The law in relation to the dates from which determination of LCW or LCWRA applies is set out in Regulations made in 2013 (see SI2013/381). In relation to LCWRA specifically, the law says that the date from which the additional amount for having LCWRA will become payable, will be either the date of the decision maker’s decision or the date of the claimant’s application, whichever is appropriate. Those who have, or are treated as having, LCWRA from the start of their claim, will get the additional amount from week 14 for ESA or the 4<sup>th</sup> assessment period for UC. That date is not dependent on the medical evidence received.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson grouped question UIN 176014 question first answered 13/04/2021 14:55:25 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4640 label Biography information for David Linden

1306337

	registered interest
	date	25/03/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Work Capability Assessment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what equality impact assessment her Department has made on its decision to award payments from the date on which a decision is made for claimants moving from the Limited Capability for Work (LCW) group to the Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) group.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow East
	tabling member printed	David Linden
	uin	176014
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/04/2021 answer text <p>Limited Capability for Work (LCW) and Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) apply both in Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Universal Credit (UC). The law in relation to the dates from which determination of LCW or LCWRA applies is set out in Regulations made in 2013 (see SI2013/381). In relation to LCWRA specifically, the law says that the date from which the additional amount for having LCWRA will become payable, will be either the date of the decision maker’s decision or the date of the claimant’s application, whichever is appropriate. Those who have, or are treated as having, LCWRA from the start of their claim, will get the additional amount from week 14 for ESA or the 4<sup>th</sup> assessment period for UC. That date is not dependent on the medical evidence received.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson grouped question UIN 176013 question first answered 13/04/2021 14:55:25 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4640 label Biography information for David Linden

1312172

	registered interest
	date	26/04/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Work Capability Assessment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Answer of 13 April 2021 to Question 176014, on Work Capability Assessment, what constitutes appropriate with respect to making the additional Limited Capability for Work Related Activity (LCWRA) amount payable from the date of the decision maker's decision as opposed to the date of the claimant's application.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow East
	tabling member printed	David Linden
	uin	187305
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 28/04/2021 answer text <p>If the claimant applies for a change in their award on the grounds that they have LCWRA, the effective date of the change, that is, the date from which the decision is superseded, is the date of the application. If they move from LCW to LCWRA following a routine WCA then it will take effect from the date of decision.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 28/04/2021 12:55:57 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4640 label Biography information for David Linden

1331204

	registered interest
	date	09/06/2021
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Work Capability Assessment
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the answer of 28 April 2021 to Question 187305 on Work Capability Assessment, what assessment she has made of the effect of (a) regulation 23, (b) regulation 35(1) and (c) schedule 1 of the Universal Credit, Personal Independence Payment, Jobseeker's Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance (Decisions and Appeals) Regulations 2013 on the determination of the commencement of award following (i) a scheduled review by her Department of that claimant's level of entitlement and (ii) completion of a new UC50 disclosing a change of circumstances by that claimant.
	tabling member constituency	Glasgow East
	tabling member printed	David Linden
	uin	13203
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/06/2021 answer text <p>The provisions referred to provide for a decision to be superseded for a change of circumstances and the date from which that change takes effect. In terms of its effect on the decision which commenced the award, that of course will depend on whether it is a relevant change which does indeed affect that award. If the original award was that the claimant had Limited Capability for Work (LCW) and the change (confirmed or identified following a work capability assessment) had seen a deterioration in the same condition such that the claimant now had Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity, then the award would be superseded and increased effective from the appropriate date.</p> answering member constituency North Swindon answering member printed Justin Tomlinson question first answered 15/06/2021 13:10:12 answering member 4105 label Biography information for Justin Tomlinson
	tabling member	4640 label Biography information for David Linden