Page 48 - Reforming Benefits Decision-Making -(updated - August 2021)

expected of them in terms of preparing for or finding work. For ESA,
122
claimants who are placed in the Work Related Activity Group are expected to
do things to prepare for work in the future.
123

2.54 Claimants agree work-related requirements with their work coach. These are
recorded in the claimant commitment. The claimant commitment is a core part
of the conditionality regime. It is meant to define a set of individually tailored
requirements that must be met in return for payments. If a claimant does
124
not meet the requirements set out in their claimant commitment they can be
sanctioned.

122 The groups are as follows: 1. All work-related requirements. This consists of two ‘labour market
regimes’: (a) intensive work search regime for those on very low earnings, claimants with a health
condition who have not completed a WCA and some self-employed claimants; and (b) light touch
regime claimants on low earning between two thresholds. 2. Work preparation - claimants who are
expected to work in the future but are currently not expected to look for work. Including those assessed
as limited capability for work following a WCA. 3. Work focused interview - claimants who are
expected to work in the future but not expected to look for work yet as they are currently lead carers. 4.
No work-related requirements. This consists of two different types of claimants (a) those earning
enough; and (b) those not expected to undertake work-related activity, including those assessed as
having LCWRA following a WCA and those over state pensions age.
123 Those in the Support Group cannot be sanctioned.
124 DWP, ‘Written Evidence ANC0083’ (see n. 118 above).

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