Benefits Assessment Guide (UK) — Tools & Plain-English help
Quick tools for eligibility, Work Capability (WCA) points, and evidence logging — plus practical steps for PIP/UC and what to do after a decision.
Disclaimer: General guidance for England/Wales; not legal advice. Policies change — check your local authority/DWP pages.
Eligibility helper (quick shortlist)
Shortlist (informal)
This is a heuristic helper; check official criteria before applying.
WCA points (UC/ESA) — estimate
Physical descriptors
Mental/cognitive descriptors
Result
Illustrative only. Decision-makers consider all evidence and LCWRA “substantial risk” rules.
Symptom / impact tracker (CSV export)
Your log
| Date | Activity | Severity | Notes |
|---|
Process & legal — PIP and Work Capability
PIP (adults)
- Focus: difficulties with daily living & mobility on a typical day (bad days count).
- Prep: “typical day” notes; examples of what goes wrong; after-effects.
- Evidence: letters, care plans, journals, third-party notes; quality > quantity.
- After: request the report if available; consider Mandatory Reconsideration if needed.
UC / ESA — Work Capability
- LCW vs LCWRA: points + “substantial risk” exceptions.
- UC50: write about most days; include fatigue/pain after-effects; avoid “good-day” answers.
- Assessment day: you can ask for breaks, repeats, or clearer wording; take notes right after.
- After: keep deadlines for MR/appeal; get advice if the result seems wrong.
Good vs. vague answers (examples)
- Stronger: “I need prompting to start cooking and supervision with knives; I’ve left hobs on 3 times this year.”
- Vague: “I sometimes struggle with cooking.”
- Stronger: “If I walk 100m I need to sit for 10–15 minutes; pain spikes to 8/10 and I can’t continue.”
- Vague: “I can’t walk far.”
Find local contacts (simple fallback)
Opens a new tab. Then search your council site for “benefits”, “welfare rights”, or “home visiting team”.
Downloadable quick cards
FAQs
How accurate is the WCA calculator?
It’s only a guide based on descriptor points. Decision-makers also look at evidence and “substantial risk” rules. Use it to plan, not to predict.
Should I describe good days or bad days?
Describe what happens on a typical day — including after-effects (pain, fatigue). If your condition fluctuates, explain frequency of bad days.
Can I record assessments?
Policies vary. If allowed, tell the assessor beforehand and follow their rules. Written notes right after the assessment are always a good idea.