Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure that claimants whose work capability assessments have been delayed due to a need for a face-to-face assessment do not have their universal credit payment reduced or delayed while face-to-face assessments are suspended.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, claimants may experience a longer wait for their Work Capability Assessment (WCA) and may be asked to attend a telephone assessment while face-to-face assessments remain suspended.

Subject to meeting overall Universal Credit (UC) entitlement conditions, claimants will continue to receive UC whilst they await the outcome of their WCA. If the decision is that the claimant is entitled to extra benefit, we will pay any arrears that are due.