Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment by 2028: What That Means and What Comes Next
Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment by 2028 stands as the most significant overhaul of the British welfare state in a generation.
This bold legislative move aims to dismantle a system widely criticized for being adversarial, inefficient, and psychologically damaging to claimants.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) intends to replace the current functional test with a unified health element under Universal Credit.
This shift promises to focus on what individuals can do, rather than strictly documenting their medical limitations for financial eligibility.
What is the New Health Element Replacing the WCA?
The cornerstone of Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment by 2028 involves integrating health-related support directly into the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) framework.
This means that instead of two separate assessments for daily living and work capability, one primary assessment will dictate eligibility.
This streamlined approach should theoretically reduce the administrative burden on disabled people who currently navigate multiple, overlapping bureaucratic hurdles.
It represents a pivot toward a more holistic view of disability and employment support.
How Will PIP Eligibility Influence Universal Credit Payments?
Under the proposed 2025-2028 transition, the “Health Element” of Universal Credit will only be available to those already receiving PIP.
This effectively makes the PIP assessment the sole gateway to additional health-related financial support within the benefits system.
Critics worry that this creates a “all or nothing” scenario. If an individual fails the PIP assessment, they could lose access to higher-tier Universal Credit payments, increasing financial vulnerability.
++ Universal Credit Allowance Going Up by 2029/30: Who Gains and Who Loses?
What Happens to the “Limited Capability for Work” Groups?
Currently, claimants are categorized as having Limited Capability for Work (LCW) or Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA). The new plan seeks to abolish these specific labels as part of the transition.
By removing these categories, the government hopes to eliminate the “cliff edge” where claimants fear losing all benefits if they attempt to work.
This structural change is central to the logic of Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment by 2028.
Also read: The U-Turn on PIP Cuts: What the Recent Reversal Really Means for Existing and New Claimants
Why is the Government Changing the Benefit Gateway?
The government argues that the current system discourages work by focusing on incapacity. By shifting the focus to PIP, they claim to provide a stable financial floor that remains regardless of employment status.
This “safety net” is designed to allow claimants to test their ability to work without the immediate threat of a reassessment. It treats benefits as a supportive foundation rather than a restrictive barrier to career entry.
How Will the Transition Period be Managed?
Transitioning millions of claimants is a logistical minefield that requires a phased, multi-year rollout.
Existing claimants will likely remain on their current terms until 2028, unless their circumstances change significantly or a review is triggered.
Ministers have pledged a “test and learn” approach to avoid the disastrous implementation seen in previous welfare reforms.
Ensuring that no one falls through the cracks is the primary challenge for the DWP during this era.
Why is the Focus Shifting Toward Employment Support?
A major driver behind Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment by 2028 is the desire to reduce the UK’s economic inactivity rate.
The Treasury views the rising number of people out of work due to long-term sickness as a national economic crisis.
The new system emphasizes voluntary employment support, providing access to work coaches without the threat of sanctions for those with the most severe conditions.
This seeks to rebuild trust between the state and the vulnerable.
What Role Will Work Coaches Play in the New System?
Work coaches will move away from a policing role toward a mentorship-based model for health-related claimants.
They will focus on identifying “reasonable adjustments” and connecting individuals with flexible, disability-confident employers in their local areas.
This personalized support aims to address the unique barriers faced by those with fluctuating conditions.
Success depends on whether work coaches receive the specialized training necessary to handle complex mental and physical health needs.
How Will “Disability Confident” Employers be Integrated?
The government plans to expand the Disability Confident scheme to ensure that there are actual jobs available for those entering the market.
This involves providing businesses with better incentives and clearer guidance on supporting disabled staff.
If the demand side of the labor market doesn’t change, the supply of willing workers will remain trapped. Therefore, the reform must address corporate culture as much as it addresses benefit eligibility.
What Research Supports the Need for This Reform?
A 2024 study by the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) highlighted that the number of people claiming health-related benefits has surged by 700,000 since the pandemic. This unsustainable growth is the primary fiscal justification for the reform.
This data proves that the old WCA was failing to stem the tide of long-term sickness. Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment by 2028 is a direct response to this unprecedented rise in economic inactivity.
What is the Analogy for This Welfare Transformation?
Imagine the benefits system as a heavy anchor that keeps a boat (the claimant) stationary to protect it from a storm. While safe, the anchor prevents the boat from ever reaching a harbor where it can thrive.
The new system acts like a tethered sail. It provides the same security (the tether), but it allows the boat to catch the wind (employment) and move forward without losing its connection to safety.
What are the Risks for Vulnerable Claimants?
While the rhetoric is positive, the reality of Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment by 2028 carries immense risks.
The most significant concern is the reliance on the PIP assessment, which was never designed to determine work capability.
Many people with serious health conditions do not qualify for PIP but are currently found to have limited work capability. These individuals face a potential “income black hole” if the new rules are applied too rigidly.
Could the New System Increase Poverty Rates?
If the “Health Element” is strictly tied to PIP, those with fluctuating mental health conditions might struggle to qualify.
This could leave thousands of people on the lower “standard” rate of Universal Credit, which is often insufficient for basic needs.
Charities like Scope and Mind have warned that this could lead to a surge in poverty and food bank usage among the disabled.
The government must ensure that “Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment” doesn’t become a euphemism for “cutting the bill.”
How Will the Government Prevent Unfair Sanctions?
The removal of the LCWRA status means that, technically, more people could be subject to “work-related requirements.”
The government has promised that the new system will be “voluntary-first,” but the legal framework for sanctions remains in place.
There is a legitimate fear that vulnerable people will be pressured into unsuitable work under threat of losing their income.
Establishing clear, legally binding safeguards against inappropriate sanctions is vital for maintaining public trust.
What Original Example Illustrates the Potential Pitfalls?
Consider “John,” who has severe Crohn’s disease. He currently receives the LCWRA element because he cannot reliably sustain a 9-to-5 job due to unpredictable flares.
However, he does not meet the strict “daily living” criteria for PIP. Under the 2028 rules, John could lose his additional £400 per month because he lacks a PIP award.
This demonstrates the danger of using a single, narrow assessment to cover both disability costs and work incapacity.
Will the Reform Actually Save the Treasury Money?
The government expects that Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment by 2028 will eventually reduce the benefits bill by encouraging more people back into the workforce.
However, the initial costs of support and the potential for increased PIP claims could offset these savings.
Economists argue that the true “saving” will only come if the employment support actually works. If it fails, the government may simply end up paying for a different, equally expensive set of social problems.
WCA vs. The New Health Element (2028 Comparison)
| Feature | Current System (WCA) | New System (Post-2028) | Potential Impact |
| Assessment Type | Functional “Work Test” | Unified PIP-based Assessment | Simplified process, but narrower eligibility |
| Work Requirement | Binary (Fit or Unfit) | Personalised & Voluntary | Increased flexibility; risk of subtle pressure |
| Financial Security | Tied to “Incapacity” label | Tied to Disability (PIP) status | Stability while working; “PIP gap” risk |
| Work Coach Role | Monitoring Compliance | Mentorship and Support | Requires massive retraining of DWP staff |
| Sanction Risk | High for LCW group | Promised “Light Touch” | Uncertainty over future legal protections |
In conclusion, Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment by 2028 is an ambitious attempt to modernize the UK’s approach to disability and employment.
By removing the fear of losing benefits upon starting work and simplifying the assessment journey, the DWP aims to foster a culture of opportunity.
However, the success of this transition hinges on the robustness of the PIP assessment and the genuine, non-coercive nature of the new employment support.
The next three years will be a defining period for the social contract in Great Britain.
Does the proposed shift toward a PIP-only gateway offer genuine security, or does it leave too many people at risk of a “benefit gap”?
Share your experience with the current WCA or your thoughts on the 2028 changes in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my benefits immediately in 2025?
No. The plan for Scrapping the Work Capability Assessment by 2028 is a multi-year transition. Most existing claimants will not see changes to their current awards until at least 2028, unless they have a natural change in circumstances.
What if I have a health condition but don’t receive PIP?
This is the most controversial part of the reform. Under the current proposals, if you do not have a PIP award, you may not be eligible for the new “Health Element” of Universal Credit. The government is still consulting on “protections” for this group.
Does this mean I will be forced to work?
The government states the new system will focus on “voluntary” support. However, for those not in the most severe disability groups, there may still be requirements to attend meetings with work coaches to discuss “preparation” for work.
Why is 2028 the target date?
2028 allows for the full rollout of Universal Credit and the completion of various “test and learn” pilots. It also aligns with the fiscal planning cycles of the Treasury to manage the enormous cost of the transition.
Will the PIP assessment change to include work questions?
There is no official plan to turn PIP into a work test. However, the criteria for PIP may be reviewed to ensure it effectively identifies those who need the additional financial support once the WCA is gone.
