[holding answer 10 February 2010]: To qualify for incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance, claimants have to undertake a medical assessment of incapacity for work called the personal capability assessment. Therefore, the medical condition recorded on the claim form does not in itself confer entitlement to benefit. This means that the decision for a customer who has claimed incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance because of obesity would be based on their ability to carry out a range of activities in the personal capability assessment. Causes of incapacity are based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, published by the World Health Organisation.
Employment and support allowance was introduced from October 2008 for new customers only. It replaced incapacity benefit and income support paid on the grounds of incapacity or disability. Data by medical conditions are not yet available for employment and support allowance.
The available information is provided in the table.
Number Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance 2,040 Incapacity benefit 1,940 Severe disablement allowance 90 Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Source: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent data.
To qualify for incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance, claimants have to undertake a medical assessment of incapacity for work called the personal capability assessment. Therefore, the medical condition recorded on the claim form does not in itself confer entitlement to benefit. This means that the decision for a customer who has claimed incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance because of obesity would be based on their ability to carry out a range of activities in the personal capability assessment. Causes of incapacity are based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision, published by the World Health Organisation.
The available information is provided in the table.
Incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance Incapacity benefit Severe disablement allowance May 2005 1,830 1,710 120 May 2006 1,890 1,790 110 May 2007 1,980 1,880 100 May 2008 2,070 1,970 100 August 2008 2,130 2,030 100 November 2008 2,140 2,040 100 February 2009 2,110 2,010 90 May 2009 2,040 1,940 90 Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest ten. 2. Data by medical conditions is not yet available for employment and support allowance. Source: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data.