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<p>From 17 March 2020 we suspended all face-to-face assessments for sickness and disability
benefits for three months to protect vulnerable people (and assessment centre staff)
from unnecessary risk of exposure to COVID-19. The Department continues to refer new
claims for a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) to our provider, CHDA. If it is not
possible to complete an assessment based on the paper evidence, a WCA will be conducted,
where possible, over the telephone.</p><p> </p><p>We also announced that from 24 March
2020 we were suspending all new referrals for reviews and reassessments across disability
benefits. However, where a claimant has reported a deterioration in their condition,
we will refer them for a reassessment. Where possible we will also continue to process
cases that have already been referred to our assessment provider.</p>
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