Form WCA50 is the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) questionnaire that begins the UK Work Capability Assessment (WCA) process. It replaced the separate ESA50 and UC50 questionnaires in November 2025 and is now the single form for both Employment and Support Allowance and Universal Credit claimants. If the DWP sent you an older ESA50 or UC50, you can still complete and return that version.
You're sent a WCA50 by the DWP if you claim Employment and Support Allowance or claim Universal Credit and report a health condition or disability that limits your ability to work.
WCA50 asks about physical activities (mobilising, standing and sitting, reaching, picking up and moving, manual dexterity, communication, hearing, vision, continence), mental health and cognitive activities (learning tasks, awareness of hazards, initiating personal action, coping with change, getting about, social engagement, dealing with situations of stress, behaving appropriately), and how each affects you on most days. You list every health condition and medication, name your GP and any specialists, describe how the condition affects daily life, and attach supporting evidence (GP letters, hospital reports, prescription lists, care plans).
Read the booklet that comes with the form before you start. Answer every question in detail - generic "yes" or "no" answers rarely capture how a condition affects you on a typical day. Use the "other information" boxes liberally to describe variability, bad days vs good days, side effects of medication, and the impact on safety, reliability, and repeatability. Attach copies (never originals) of supporting medical evidence - letters from your GP, hospital consultant, mental health team, occupational therapist, or any specialist. Return the form by the deadline printed on the cover letter (usually a few weeks); ask for an extension if you need more time. Failure to return WCA50 can lead to benefits being stopped.
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