Committee announce inquiry into migration from Incapacity Benefits to ESA
17 March 2011
The Work and Pensions Committee have launched an inquiry into the migration from Incapacity Benefits to Employment and Support Allowance, including the Work Capability Assessment. To submit written evidence see the terms of reference below.
ESA replaced incapacity benefits for people making new claims from October 2008. To be eligible for ESA, a person should undergo a Work Capability Assessment (WCA).
The introduction of ESA in 2008 was initially limited to new claimants. Existing incapacity benefit claimants are now being reassessed under the Work Capability Assessment. The process will last until 2014 with around 1.5 million people being reassessed.
Reassessment commenced on 11 October 2010 with a trial in Aberdeen and Burnley. At the end of February, Jobcentre Plus began a limited introductory phase, and will move to full national reassessment of incapacity benefit claimants from April 2011.
Short submissions (no more than 3,000 words) are invited from interested organisations and individuals.
The deadline for submitting evidence is 14 April 2011.
Full terms of reference and further information about submitting evidence can be found on the Inquiry page.