Activity 14: Coping with change
Activity 14 is defined in regulations as -
Coping with change.
Activity 14 assesses the ability to cope with changes in normal routine whether permanent or not. A descriptor may be satisfied where small changes result in the individual's day to day life being made significantly more difficult, or so it cannot be managed.
Descriptors
The descriptors that relate to Activity 14 are -
- Cannot cope with any change to the extent that day to day life cannot be managed. 15 points
- Cannot cope with minor planned change (such as a pre-arranged change to the routine time scheduled for a lunch break), to the extent that, overall, day to day life is made significantly more difficult. 9 points
- Cannot cope with minor unplanned change (such as the timing of an appointment on the day it is due to occur), to the extent that, overall, day to day life is made significantly more difficult. 6 points
- None of the above applies. 0 points
Sources:
- Part 2 of Schedule 2 to the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2008 (SI.No.794/2008) and Part 2 of Schedule 2 to SR.No.280/2008 in Northern Ireland (apply to income-related and old-style contributory ESA).
- Part 2 of Schedule 2 to the Employment and Support Allowance Regulations 2013 (SI.No.379/2013) and Part 2 of Schedule 2 to SR.No.219/2016 in Northern Ireland (apply to new-style contributory ESA).
- Part 2 of Schedule 6 to the Universal Credit Regulations 2013 (SI.No.376/2013) and Part 2 of Schedule 6 to SR.No.216/2016 in Northern Ireland (apply to universal credit).
See also section 3.5.5 of the DWP’s Work Capability Assessment handbook: for healthcare professionals.
Case law
The meaning of 'cope' has been considered in a number of cases including [2013] UKUT 405 (AAC) in which Judge Ward interprets it to mean 'to manage, deal (competently) with a situation or problem'. The judge adds that needing help from another person, or signs of stress reactions, may be indicators of a failure to cope. | Add commentary or suggest an edit.
-
Descriptor 14(c) – coping with minor unplanned change – is not concerned with supported coping and does not require daily incidents of non-coping
- [2014] UKUT 522 (AAC)
- CE/1532/2014
- SP v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (ESA)
- Failure of tribunal to ask sufficient questions when assessing limited capability for work
- [2013] UKUT 405 (AAC)
- CE/2649/2012
- GC v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (ESA)
- Application of WCA descriptors for the majority of the time
- [2013] UKUT 207 (AAC)
- CE/2771/2012
- CH v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (ESA)