Work Capability Assessment
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many Work Capability Assessments for existing claimants were undertaken in each month since January 2025.
Answered by Sir Stephen Timms
Department for Work and Pensions continues to monitor waiting times for Work Capability Assessments (WCAs) and works closely with assessment suppliers to manage demand and ensure claimants progress through the process as efficiently as possible. The department remains focused on maintaining a timely assessment service, while ensuring that support is directed to those who need it most.
The number of WCAs for new claimants undertaken in each month since January 2025 are as follows.
Jan 25 | Feb 25 | Mar 25 | Apr 25 | May 25 | Jun 25 | Jul 25 | Aug 25 |
58,000 | 54,000 | 60,000 | 53,000 | 52,000 | 52,000 | 54,000 | 41,000 |
The number of WCAs for existing claimants undertaken in each month since January 2025 are as follows.
Jan 25 | Feb 25 | Mar 25 | Apr 25 | May 25 | Jun 25 | Jul 25 | Aug 25 |
1,900 | 2,100 | 1,700 | 1,200 | 1,400 | 1,900 | 2,100 | 3,000 |
As of 31 August 2025, approximately 110,000 existing claimants were awaiting WCAs. This total includes all claimants currently within the assessment suppliers’ caseload, including those at the questionnaire stage and those for whom further medical evidence is being gathered.
Please note:
- Volumes have been rounded to the nearest 100 or 1000.
- All above data is derived from contractual management information produced by the assessment suppliers.
- The above data is derived from unpublished management information which is collected for internal departmental use only and has not been quality assured to Official Statistics Publication standards.
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