Work-related activity group

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What is the  employment and support allowance work-related activity group?

The  ESA work-related activity group is for claimants who the DWP consider will be capable of work at some time in the future and who are capable of taking steps towards moving into work (work-related activities) immediately.

What are the main differences between the work-related activity group and the support group?

The major differences are that:

• ESA work-related activity group members have to attend work-focused interviews and undertake work-related activities, such as training or condition management programmes, but support group members do not;
• ESA work-related activity group members get less money because the work-related activity component is paid at a lower rate than the support component;
• if the government introduce a proposed one year limit on claiming contributory ESA, this will apply to members of the work-related activity group, but not to members of the support group. 

How do you qualify for the employment and support allowance work-related activity group?

Most claimants who qualify for the work-related activity group do so because they have scored enough points in the limited capability for work assessment.  Others qualify because they are exempt or because they are covered by the exceptional circumstances rules, such as there being a danger to themselves or to other people if they were not placed in the work-related activity group.

What proportion of ESA claimants get put into the work-related activity group?

Around 23% of claimants who complete the assessment phase of ESA are placed in the work-related activity group, compared to around 9% who are placed in the support group.  The other 68% are found capable of work.