Employment Support Allowance

Introduction

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is a benefit for people who have a disability or health condition that affects how much they can work. ESA has mostly been replaced by Universal Credit. Only some people can still get ESA.

‘New style’ Employment Support Allowance

Most new claims are for the ‘new style’ Employment Support Allowance.

You may be able to claim new style ESA if:

• you have a disability or health condition that affects your ability to work, and
• you have paid enough National Insurance contributions in the last 2 to 3 years.

New style ESA is not means tested. This means:

• your savings do not matter
• your partner’s income does not matter

You can get new style ESA on its own or at the same time as Universal Credit. Apply on GOV.UK.

Income-related ESA (closed to new claims)

Income-related ESA is a legacy benefit.

You cannot make a new claim for income-related ESA.

You may still be getting income-related ESA if:

• you claimed it in the past, and
• you have not moved to Universal Credit yet.

Most people who were getting income-related ESA have already been moved to Universal Credit. A small number of people are still being moved as part of managed migration. If this applies to you, the Department for Work and Pensions will write to you and tell you what to do.

Work capability assessment

If you claim ESA, you will have a work capability assessment.

This looks at how your health condition or disability affects your ability to work.

After the assessment, you will be placed in one of these groups:

• Support group – you are not expected to work or prepare for work
• Work-related activity group (WRAG) – you may need to take part in activities to prepare for work

The group you are in affects:

• how much ESA you get
• what you are expected to do