Annex A

Annex A

Dear Sir/ Madam

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request of 21 October 2009. You asked:-

What proportion of those currently on Long Term IB is it expected will be placed the ESA Support group on migration from IB to ESA?  It appears that the process used for medicals is flawed with many not being placed in the support group only to be placed there on appeal.

Does this mean that the test as it stands isn't fit for purpose as it effectively only allows for a yes or no answer and ignores factors such a fluctuating conditions and factors such as fatigue and chronic pain and the impact they can have on a persons ability to work ?

When the assessment for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), the Work Capability Assessment (WCA), is applied to existing incapacity benefits claimants, our initial estimates are that overall, around 65 per cent will be assessed to be in the work-related activity group of ESA, 20 per cent will be assessed to be in the support group, and 15 per cent will be found fit for work.

These are working assumptions that will continue to be evaluated and updated in light of new evidence.

The WCA is designed to take account of fluctuating conditions in a variety of ways. Firstly, the questionnaire that claimants are asked to fill in as part of the claim process provides the opportunity for them to describe their condition, including if and how it varies. This opportunity is important for customers with fluctuating conditions. In addition, healthcare professionals carrying out assessments are trained to enquire about variability, both day to day and in the long term. Features such as pain and fatigue are also considered during the assessment. Such considerations are not done on a `snapshot' basis but over a reasonable period of time. An individual who is unable to complete a task reliably and repeatedly is considered to be unable to do that task at all.

Yours sincerely,

DWP Central FoI Team

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Your right to complain under the Freedom of Information Act

If you are not happy with this response you may request an internal review by e-mailing [DWP request email] or by writing to DWP, Central FoI Team, 2^nd Floor The Adelphi, 1-11, John Adam Street, London WC2N 6HT. Any review request should be submitted within two months of the date of this letter.

If you are not content with the outcome of the internal review you may apply directly to the Information Commissioner's Office for a decision. Generally the Commissioner cannot make a decision unless you have exhausted our own complaints procedure. The Information Commissioner can be contacted at: The Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe House, Water Lane, Wilmslow Cheshire SK9 5AF www.ico.gov.uk

DWP Central Freedom of Information Team

e-mail: [DWP request email]

Our Ref: VTR2144

DATE 06.11.2009