DWP pays extra Universal Credit to nearly 1m people with mental health issues

New data from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reveals that nearly a third of all Universal Credit claimants, equating to over two million people, are deemed unfit for work due to medical reasons.

Moreover, nearly a million of those who have undergone a work capability assessment since the pandemic started are grappling with mental health issues. The North East has the highest proportion of Universal Credit claimants in the UK, accounting for 37 per cent of the country's total, according to DWP figures.

The stats indicate that 2.1 million individuals receiving Universal Credit in the UK fall within health groups, including 1.4 million in the 'limited capability for work and work-related activity' (LCWRA) category. This group is exempt from working or preparing for future employment and they receive an additional £416 monthly on top of their standard benefit.

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Based on the DWP data, nearly 90% of these recipients suffer from mental health problems. Furthermore, 356,000 claimants are categorised as 'limited capability for work' (LCW), which exempts them from current work obligations but requires preparation for future employment, such as liaising with a work coach, improving their CV, and participating in training programmes.

While new LCW claimants do not receive extra money with their Universal Credit, those recognised before April 2017 could be eligible for an additional £156 each month, reports BirminghamLive. A staggering 267,000 people on Universal Credit are awaiting the results of their work capacity assessments, despite having "acceptable medical evidence of a restricted ability to work."

Recent statistics indicate that between January 2022 and February 2024, of those assessed for work capability, 978,300 individuals were diagnosed with mental and behavioural disorders. Additionally, 678,300 people suffered from musculoskeletal disorders, which includes conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome, while digestive disorders like Crohn's disease affected 319,900 claimants.

There were also 290,000 claims related to circulatory system diseases and 262,900 cases involving respiratory concerns. Individuals with nervous system diseases accounted for 211,400 of the assessments, with an almost equivalent number experiencing endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases.

Genitourinary issues were identified in 178,900 instances, eye conditions in 136,000, and skin diseases in another 87,900. Hearing problems featured in 87,700 claims, and a further 142,900 assessments included other unspecified symptoms and clinical findings.

The Department for Work and Pensions clarified, "Most individuals claiming UC with a health condition or disability that restricts their ability to work will have a Work Capability Assessment (WCA). The WCA determines whether a person has limited capability for work and, if they do, whether they also have limited capability for work-related activity."

"At March 2024, 2.1 million people were on UC health up 23 per cent from March 2023, and by 4 per cent from the month of December 2023. Of those on the caseload as at March 2024, 267,000 (13 per cent) had acceptable medical evidence of a restricted ability to work and were awaiting a decision, 356,000 (17 per cent) were assessed as limited capability for work (LCW), and 1.4 million (70 per cent) were assessed as limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA)."

"The composition of the UC health caseload has changed over time as people migrated from ESA to UC, and due to the suspension of face-to-face assessments in March 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which adversely impacted DWP's ability to complete assessments and for claimants to provide medical evidence."

"There are more women on UC health than men, at every age band except 60-plus. At March 2024, 53 per cent of those on UC health were female; of these, 37 per cent were aged 50-plus and 10 per cent aged under 25."

"Across Great Britain, Scotland has the highest proportion of Universal Credit claimants on UC health in March 2024 at 39 per cent. Within England, the North East (37 per cent) has the highest proportion of Universal Credit claimants on UC health and London (25 per cent) the lowest."

The DWP commented: "Claimants often have complex health issues and can thus be recorded with multiple conditions. Medical condition is based on evidence recorded at the WCA, this in itself does not confer entitlement to Universal Credit. Those without a medical condition primarily comprise claimants for whom a decision is made without the need for an interview-based WCA. These cases can relate to claimants who are severely or terminally ill, or have other complex conditions."

"Of all WCA decisions in the period January 2022 to February 2024, at least 68 per cent are recorded as having mental and behavioural disorders albeit this may not be their primary medical condition. The proportion recorded as having mental and behavioural disorders is lower (54 per cent) for claimants found capable for work, and higher for claimants found to have limited capability for work (89 per cent). 47 per cent are recorded with diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. This proportion is higher (59 per cent) for claimants found capable for work."

It was also noted that many individuals in the Universal Credit's LCWRA category subsequently apply for Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is a separate disability benefit requiring its own assessment process. A significant number of PIP recipients suffer from mental health issues, representing 1.3 million (38 per cent) out of the total 3.5 million PIP claims.