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Collection

Universal Credit Health statistics

These statistics cover the number of people on Universal Credit with a health condition or disability restricting their ability to work.

Updates to this page

From:
Department for Work and Pensions
Published:
8 June 2023
Last updated:
19 June 2026
Show all updates

  1. The collection page has been updated to inform users of upcoming changes to the statistics following the DWP administrative-based benefit statistics consultation outcome.

  2. This collection page has been updated with the latest official statistics to March 2026 and a note added on forthcoming changes in September 2026

  3. Added a note that the next release on 11 June 2026 will include individual age breakdowns (to age 70) for claimants previously shown as aged 65 plus.

  4. This collection page has been updated with the latest official statistics to December 2025 and the linked Release Strategy has also been updated.

  5. Universal Credit Work Capability Assessment statistics, April 2019 to September 2025 added to collection page.

  6. Added 'The next publication of these statistics on the 11 December 2025 will include breakdowns on the number and proportions of the UC Health caseload that had a previous ESA spell when they joined UC health and the number (and proportion) of UC WCA decisions where the claimant had a previous ESA spell'.

  7. Added latest release: 'Universal Credit Work Capability Assessment statistics, April 2019 to June 2025'.

  8. Added latest release: 'Universal Credit Work Capability Assessment statistics, April 2019 to March 2025'.

  9. Universal Credit Work Capability Assessment statistics, April 2019 to December 2024 added to page.

  10. Added the latest release of Universal Credit Work Capability Assessment statistics, with data from April 2019 to September 2024.

  11. Added the latest release of Universal Credit Work Capability Assessment statistics, with data from April 2019 to June 2024.

  12. Added the latest release of Universal Credit Work Capability Assessment statistics, with data from April 2019 to March 2024.

  13. Added the latest release of Universal Credit Work Capability Assessment statistics, with data from April 2019 to December 2023.

  14. Added the latest release of Universal Credit Work Capability Assessment statistics, with data from April 2019 to September 2023.

  15. Added the latest release of Universal Credit Work Capability Assessment statistics, with data from April 2019 to June 2023.

  16. First published.

This collection contains quarterly updates for people on Universal Credit with a health condition or disability restricting their ability to work.

Quarterly data are published in June, September, December, March alongside a statistical bulletin with detailed commentary. The exact publication dates for the quarterly releases are listed in the statistics release calendar.

Following the DWP administrative-based benefit statistics consultation outcome, the name and release schedule for these statistics will change from September 2026. The statistics will be re-named Universal Credit Health statistics, and the publication date will be aligned to the Personal Independence Payment statistics. Release dates are available on the statistics release calendar.

The next release on the 15 September 2026 will include breakdowns for higher and lower limited capability for work and work related activity (LCWRA) award amounts and Severe Condition Cases.

Feedback

DWP’s statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to.

You are welcome to contact us directly with any comments about how we meet these standards, email: stats.consultation-2018@dwp.gov.uk

Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing regulation@statistics.gov.uk or via the OSR website.

For media enquiries please contact the DWP press office.

Latest release

Previous release

Interactive tools

Alternative ways to view these statistics are available:

  • Stat-Xplore allows users to explore Universal Credit WCA data and build their own tables – it also contains some ready-made tables

Guidance on Universal Credit WCA statistics

Universal Credit statistics

Employment and Support Allowance: outcomes of Work Capability Assessments statistics

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