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<p>The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) assesses individuals against a set of descriptors
to determine how their health condition or disability affects their ability to work.
The WCA takes into account the functional effects of fluctuating and degenerative
conditions such as Parkinson’s. A key principle is that the WCA considers the impact
that a person’s disability or health condition has on them, not the condition itself.</p><p>
</p><p>Claimants with the most severe health conditions and disabilities whose condition
is unlikely to ever improve are no longer routinely reassessed.</p><p> </p><p>From
2025, we are reforming the WCA to reflect new flexibilities in the labour market and
greater employment opportunities for disabled people and people with health conditions,
whilst maintaining protections for those with the most significant conditions. Claimants
who currently have no work-related requirements, except in some very limited circumstances,
will not be reassessed or lose benefit because of these changes.</p><p> </p><p>When
making decisions on changes to the WCA, we carefully considered over 1300 consultation
responses, including from disabled people, people with health conditions, and the
organisations that represent and support them. We also engaged directly with clinical
experts, employer groups and disability organisations across the country.</p><p> </p><p>With
these changes to the WCA criteria, 371,000 fewer people will be assessed as having
limited capability for work and work-related activity by 2028-29 and will receive
personalised support to help them move closer to employment. A further 29,000 individuals
will be found fit for work by 2028-29 and will receive more intensive support to search
for and secure work than would be the case under the current WCA rules. These figures
are not based on specific conditions. This is because the WCA considers the impact
that a person’s disability or health condition has on their ability to work, not the
condition itself.</p><p /><p>The department routinely engages with a wide range of
organisations that represent and support disabled people and people with health conditions,
including people living with Parkinson’s disease.</p>
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