ESA Work Capability Assessment: What to Expect and How to Prepare
By the RightfulUK team • • 5 min read • Reviewed for accuracy
The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) decides whether your health condition means you have limited capability for work. It affects both ESA and the disability element of Universal Credit.
Many people fail the WCA unfairly. Here's how to prepare.
What Is the Work Capability Assessment?
The WCA is a medical assessment to determine if your health limits your ability to work. Two possible outcomes:
Limited Capability for Work (LCW) — You're not fit for work but should prepare for future work.
Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) — You're not fit for any work or work-related activity. This is the higher group and gives you extra money (£416.19/month on UC).
The assessment looks at physical, mental, and cognitive abilities. It's separate from PIP.
What Activities Are Assessed?
The WCA has 17 activities:
Physical activities: mobilising, standing/sitting, reaching, picking up, manual dexterity, continence
Mental/cognitive activities: learning tasks, awareness of hazards, initiating personal action, coping with change, getting about, social engagement, appropriateness of behaviour
You need 15 points for LCW or to meet one of the LCWRA descriptors.
Key difference from PIP: The WCA is about whether you can WORK, not whether you need help with daily life.
How to Prepare
The ESA50 or UC50 form asks about your health conditions and how they affect work. Tips:
1. Describe your worst days — Not your best 2. Be specific — Don't say 'I can't concentrate.' Say 'I cannot concentrate on a task for more than 10 minutes before losing focus. Last week I tried to read a letter from the council and couldn't understand it after reading it 5 times.' 3. Mention all conditions — Physical AND mental health 4. Include medication effects — Drowsiness, brain fog, nausea 5. Get evidence — GP and specialist letters about work capability 6. Use the reliability test — Can you do it repeatedly, throughout a working day?
At the Assessment
The assessment is similar to a PIP assessment:
- Usually 30-60 minutes - Can be face-to-face, telephone, or video - An assessor asks about your condition and daily activities - They observe you (how you sit, stand, communicate)
Important tips: - Don't minimise your difficulties - Talk about a typical day, not your best day - If someone helps you, mention it - If you need breaks, take them - Ask for the assessment to be recorded - Bring someone for support
If You're Found Fit for Work
If the WCA says you're fit for work but you disagree:
1. Request Mandatory Reconsideration within one month 2. Appeal to tribunal if MR fails 3. Get your assessment report — Check for errors 4. Consider getting PIP — A PIP award provides strong evidence for your WCA
The tribunal success rate for WCA appeals is similar to PIP — the majority are overturned.
Your UC or ESA continues during appeal if you appeal within one month of the MR decision.
Related Articles
- PIP Renewal & Review: What to Expect and How to Prepare (2026) — 4 min read
- PIP Assessment Trick Questions: How to Answer Honestly Without Hurting Your Claim — 5 min read
- Carer's Allowance and PIP: How They Work Together (2026) — 4 min read
- PIP Denied? Here's Exactly What to Do Next (2026 Guide) — 4 min read
Related Tools & Guides
- Free PIP Eligibility Checker — estimate your likely points
- Mandatory Reconsideration Letter Builder — challenge the DWP decision
- Tribunal Preparation Tool — practice panel questions
- PIP Condition Guides — descriptors for your condition