Assessment Phase

The Assessment Phase is the first part of your Employment and Support Allowance claim before you have had a work capability assessment. During the Assessment Phase you will not be paid any additional components of Employment and Support Allowance. If you are under 25 you will also be paid a lower rate of Employment and Support Allowance during the Assessment Phase.

The Assessment Phase will last at least 13 weeks. If after 13 weeks the DWP still has not decided if you have limited capability for work, you will continue to be paid at the Assessment Phase rate, but if you are awarded extra money following the work capability assessment this will be backdated to the 14th week of your claim.

If you are receiving Employment and Support Allowance while waiting for an appeal hearing to decide if you have limited capability for work, you will be paid at the Assessment Phase rate.