Post by Beryl on Dec 2, 2010 20:01:06 GMT
Work Capability Assessment is an assessment people have to attend who have put in a claim for Employment and Support Allowance because they are unfit for work due to illness or injury. People will be invited to attend this assessment in the first 13 weeks of claiming the benefit. I use the term invited but if the person does not attend they may be at risk of loosing their benefit altogether. There are three main aims to the assessment. The first aim is to assess the mental, physical and cognitive ability of the person and award points based on how they achieved in the assessment.
The second aim is to then add the points up to assess which group the person fits into.
On the basis of how many points were awarded, the claimant will be placed into one of two groups. The magic number is 15 points. Under 15 points and the person will be placed into the Work Activity Group. 15 points or more and the person will be placed into the Support Group. The person is awarded points on their inability to carry out named tasks.
Work Activity Group.
This group of people are assessed as being capable of undertaking suitable work in the future and will be expected to attend 6 work focused interviews. Non attenders of these interviews will run the risk of loosing their benefit.
Support Group.
This group of people are assessed as having more severe physical or mental health issues or cognitive impairment and they will not be required to attend work focused interviews. They will be supported while ever their situation remains the same.
The third aim is to provide a report which will give help and advice on the type of work someone may be suitable for with the level of impairment they have.Due to the implications of which group people are placed into, it is vital that people are assessed correctly in the first place.
People who have certain mental health conditions or people with such injuries as an Acquired Brain Injury may lack some insight into the full extent of their limitations and are strongly advised to have representation at the assessment to ensure the full picture is given.
Another worrying aspect to this is that people who have cognitive impairment such as short term memory or have mental health issues for example those who are depressed may not attend a work focused interview due to reasons beyond their control; however, a failure to attend the interview may again result in the benefit being withdrawn.
A positive point about the new assessment is that it does make it easier for people with conditions such as an Acquired Brain Injury to be assessed more accurately and satisfy the medical; however, the person must still present their limitations accurately. There is a dedicated section of questions devoted to mental, cognitive and intellectual functioning as well as questions on physical impairment.
The assessment requires the person to complete a medical questionnaire called an ESA50. It is helpful if the main carer or someone who knows the person well helps them complete the form to help ensure a true picture. Health professionals can also present evidence which will benefit a claim. The more information that is presented the clearer the picture is for the assessor. The usual advice as for all form filling is to fill the form in as if it was a bad day as many health conditions fluctuate on a daily basis. If the person suffers pain, fatigue, breathlessness or any other symptom that puts them at risk then they should be considered as not capable of doing the task.
Like for anything else, how the form is filled in will determine the outcome and therefore advice from a benefits adviser is always strongly recommended.
People are exempt from the medical assessment if they have:A Terminal Illness
Disability Living Allowance care component at the highest rate.
Certain types of illness.