Universal Credit claims, USA News: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has published new figures showing the number of Universal Credit claimants with 10 commonly recorded mental health and behavioural conditions who have been assessed as having limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA). The figures were provided by Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms in response to a written parliamentary question from Conservative MP Neil O’Brien, who requested a breakdown of the 10 most frequently recorded conditions over the last five years. The data covers March 2022 to March 2026 and includes people with anxiety, depression, autism, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
According to the DWP, the number of LCWRA claimants with anxiety and depression recorded at their Work Capability Assessment increased from 130,700 in March 2022 to 359,100 in March 2026. The number recorded under the broader category of mental health problems increased from 184,900 to 733,400 over the same period. However, the department stressed that these increases should not be interpreted as equivalent rises across the entire health-related benefits system. The figures cover a period when existing claimants were being transferred from older benefits, particularly income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), onto Universal Credit. This means some of the increases reflect people moving between benefits rather than additional people entering the system.
Condition Breakdown in March 2026
The following figures show the number of Universal Credit LCWRA claimants with each condition recorded at their Work Capability Assessment in March 2026:
| Condition | Number of Claimants |
|---|---|
| Mental health problem | 733,400 |
| Anxiety and depression | 359,100 |
| Depression | 41,500 |
| Anxiety | 31,900 |
| Alcohol misuse | 26,100 |
| Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) | 19,300 |
| Autism | 19,000 |
| Learning difficulties | 17,400 |
| Drug misuse | 16,200 |
| Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | 13,700 |
The DWP advised that claimants can have more than one condition recorded, meaning an individual may appear in several categories. It also clarified that the information does not identify a claimant’s primary medical condition. Some people who receive a decision without a full Work Capability Assessment do not have medical condition information recorded in the dataset. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100 and were produced through a bespoke analysis of departmental records. They have not been certified as official statistics.
People claiming Universal Credit who have a disability or health condition that affects their ability to work may be referred for a Work Capability Assessment. Those assessed as having LCWRA are generally not required to look for work or prepare for employment. Eligible claimants may also receive an additional monthly amount as part of their Universal Credit award, depending on the rules applying to their claim. The assessment considers the impact of a person’s health condition on their ability to carry out activities rather than relying on a diagnosis alone.
