A new Headway survey to assess the impact reforms to the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) have had on brain injured claimants has highlighted a disappointing lack of progress.
In 2012, Headway published the results of its study into the WCA, which forms the basis of the application process for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). The study examined the experiences of brain injury claimants trying to access this vital benefit.
The results were shocking, with 85% of people feeling that the WCA didn't take their brain injury into account, and 82% reporting that the assessor did not understand brain injury.
Two years later, as the government's programme of annual independent reviews of the WCA came to an end, Headway launched a further study to get a picture of the current situation for brain injured claimants, and examine whether the experience of applying for this vital benefit has improved.
Worryingly, of the respondents who have been through more than one WCA, only 7% felt it has improved, with 43% feeling it has stayed the same and 50% reporting a fall in standards.
The latest survey also revealed that 81% felt that the WCA did not take their brain injury into account (just 4% less than in 2012), while 87% reported that the assessor did not understand the effects of brain injury (unchanged from 2012). It is clear that the assessment is still not being seen as fit for purpose, with only 25% feeling they were treated fairly.
Following a WCA, successful claimants are put into either the support or work-related activity group (WRAG). The most severely disabled claimants are placed in the support group and are not required to seek employment. However, those placed in the WRAG are deemed to have some degree of capacity for work and should be provided with help to find suitable employment.
We asked people who had been put into the WRAG to rate the support they received. Sadly, 50% said the support offered is not suited to people with brain injury. In answer to other questions, 50% felt they should have been placed in the support group, while 33% felt the WRAG does not help them to get back into work. Only 6% felt the requirements of the group are fair, and nobody stated that the support given has helped them to return to employment.
While only a small-scale study, the results of this latest research suggests little or no improvements have been made to the WCA for people affected by brain injury. Headway will continue to campaign for the voices of brain injury survivors to be heard on this vital issue.
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