Description
Stage is reported as at the reference date. As it is derived by the administrative system from the amount of payment a claimant receives, there are a number of cases where the stage is unknown. There are also a number of claimants who do not receive any payment of ESA. These are known as ESA (Credits only) as they receive National Insurance Credits because they have limited capability for work.
When a new claimant applies for ESA they will enter an assessment phase which usually lasts for 13 weeks. During this phase the claimant will have their ability to work assessed to determine their entitlement, this is called the Work Capability Assessment (WCA).
The possible outcomes of the WCA are that claimants can be assessed as:
a) Suitable for the ESA Work Related Activity Group (where claimants are able to undertake and participate in work-related activity to help them move towards the labour market),
b) Suitable for the ESA Support Group (where claimants are not required to undertake any interviews or work related activity), or
c) Fit for work and therefore not entitled to ESA, although there is a right of appeal.
Classification
Applicable to: all claimants:
- Assessment Phase
- Work Related Activity
- Support Group
- Unknown
Total number of categories: 4