Three-quarters of people applying for the new Employment and Support Allowance programme (ESA) are being found fit for work.
Applicants are either being told to look for work after undergoing the Work Capability Assessment or stop their claim before they complete their medical assessment, according to Department of Work and Pensions statistics.
The ESA replaced the Incapacity Benefit and Income Support benefit.
For new ESA claims from October 2008 to February 2010, the breakdown is:
• Support Group (for those who cannot work now or in the foreseeable future and need unconditional support) - 6%
• Work Related Activity Group (for those who cannot work now but with the right help could work in the foreseeable future) - 15%
• Fit for Work - 39%
• Claim closed before assessment complete or assessment still in process- 39%
The findings come as the Government presses ahead with its programme of reassessing those on the old style incapacity benefit (IB), which began in Burnley and Aberdeen earlier this month, and rolls out across the country next year.
Chris Grayling, the employment minister, said: "With over two million people trapped on incapacity benefits, these figures underline how important it is that we make sure everyone who has the potential to work gets the right help to move off benefits and into a job.
"However, I am determined that we get the medical assessment right, which is why Professor Malcolm Harrington is undertaking an independent review in consultation with a number of charities representing disabled people and those with mental health issues. I am more than happy to take onboard any serious suggestions for changing the assessment as I want it to be as near to perfect as we can be."
Ministers have already made changes to the way the Work Capability Assessments recognise people suffering from mental health conditions and those with cancer.
