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Activities » Limited Capability for Work » Mental, cognitive & intellectual function »

Activity 16: Coping with social engagement

Activity 16 is defined in regulations as - 

Coping with social engagement due to cognitive impairment or mental disorder.

Activity 16 assesses the ability to interact with people. A descriptor may be satisfied where there is a significant lack of self-confidence in face-to-face social situations that is greater in its nature and its functional effects than mere shyness or reticence. 

Note: in Autumn 2023, the Conservative Government launched a consultation on reform of the work capability assessment including proposals to remove the LCW social engagement activity or reduce the points awarded for its descriptors. However, in its November 2023 response to the consultation, the government confirmed that it will not make any changes to the LCW social engagement activity or descriptors.

Descriptors

The descriptors that relate to Activity 16 are - 

  1. Engagement in social contact is always precluded due to difficulty relating to others or significant distress experienced by the claimant. 15 points
  2. Engagement in social contact with someone unfamiliar to the claimant is always precluded due to difficulty relating to others or significant distress experienced by the claimant. 9 points
  3. Engagement in social contact with someone unfamiliar to the claimant is not possible for the majority of the time due to difficulty relating to others or significant distress experienced by the claimant. 6 points
  4. None of the above applies. 0 points

Sources:

See also section 3.5.7 of the DWP’s Work Capability Assessment handbook: for healthcare professionals.

Case law

Commentary: Merely attending a medical examination or tribunal is not of itself evidence of an ability to engage in ‘social’ contact. See [2013] UKUT 446 (AAC) and [2014] UKUT 22 (AAC). However, the ability can still be assessed in any context (including during a medical examination) and tribunals must assess the claimant’s capacity to engage, the distress caused, and the impact of distress, on the ability to engage [2013] UKUT 552 (AAC).

In [2014] UKUT 352 (AAC) a three judge panel considers that ‘coping’ and ‘engagement’ require assessments of ‘reciprocity, give and take, initiation and response’ in communication. The panel further holds that a tribunal can use examples of social contact in any context to form its view of what limitations exist which are likely to be effective barriers to the claimant working. | Add commentary or suggest an edit.