Employment and support allowance: eligibility and rates

Published Monday 20 April 2026

Table of contents

• What is ESA?
• Who can claim ESA?
• Types of ESA
• How much is ESA?
• Understanding the work capability assessment
• How to claim ESA
• FAQs on Employment and Support Allowance

Key takeaways

• Apply for New Style ESA if illness or disability limits your ability to work, as it's available to employed, unemployed, and self-employed people who have paid enough National Insurance contributions in the last two complete tax years.
• Prepare your documents before you apply, including your National Insurance number, a fit note from your doctor, and details of your illness, to speed up the claims process.
• Recognize that you can still work while claiming ESA, as permitted work rules allow you to work up to 16 hours per week and earn up to £183.50 per week without losing your benefit.
• Challenge a decision you disagree with by requesting a mandatory reconsideration within one month of receiving your decision letter, and appeal to an independent tribunal if you're still not satisfied.

What is ESA?

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is a UK government benefit that replaces income when illness or disability limits your ability to work. You can claim whether you're employed, unemployed, or self-employed. For self-employed people who don't receive employer sick pay, ESA provides essential financial support during health setbacks.

Key benefits for the self-employed:

• Replace lost income: Receive financial support when health conditions prevent full-time work
• Continue working: Maintain business operations under permitted work rules while claiming ESA
• Stay within limits: Work up to 16 hours per week and earn up to £183.50 per week under the permitted work rules

Who can claim ESA?

ESA eligibility requires meeting specific health, age, and contribution conditions. You'll need to meet the following criteria:

• Confirm your Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) has ended or you aren't eligible for it
• Verify you're under the State Pension age
• Demonstrate you have an illness or disability that affects your ability to work
• Show you've paid enough National Insurance contributions in the last two complete tax years
• Obtain a fit note from your doctor to support your application

Types of ESA

Two main types of ESA exist, though you can only apply for one as a new claimant. Your eligibility depends on your National Insurance contribution history and financial circumstances.

• New Style ESA: Based on your National Insurance contributions in the relevant two complete tax years
• Income-related ESA: Replaced by Universal Credit and no longer available for new claims

New Style ESA (or contribution-based ESA)

New Style ESA requires sufficient National Insurance contributions and medical evidence that your health limits your work capacity. You may qualify if you've paid National Insurance in the relevant two complete tax years before your claim.

Key requirements:

• Provide health evidence: submit a fit note or other medical proof showing you cannot work
• Demonstrate limited work capacity: show that illness or disability affects your ability to work
• Claim regardless of savings: access ESA even if you or your partner have savings over £16,000

You can claim New Style ESA once your Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) ends. You can read more about ESA and SSP. You can apply for New Style ESA up to three months before your SSP ends and you'll start receiving it once your SSP ends.

Find out if you're eligible for New Style ESA.

Income-related ESA

Universal Credit has replaced income-related ESA for new claims. Most new claims are now for New Style ESA, while Universal Credit has replaced income-related ESA.

The government means-tested this older ESA type based on your savings and household income. If you currently receive income-related ESA, your payments will continue until your claim ends.

How much is ESA?

ESA payments range from £72.90 to £140.55 per week, depending on your age, assessment phase, and work capability group. Payments arrive every two weeks directly into your bank account. The exact amount depends on how severely your condition affects your ability to work.

Assessment phase

Assessment phase payments are the initial ESA amounts you receive while the Department for Work and Pensions determines your eligibility. This phase typically lasts up to 13 weeks.

Your weekly payment during assessment depends on your age:

• Under 25:up to £72.90 per week
• 25 or over: up to £90.50 per week

Extended assessment periods may occur in complex cases:

• Continue receiving payments: keep getting the assessment rate until a decision is made
• Receive backdated payments: collect any additional money owed from the start of week 14 of your claim if the assessor approves you and places you in the support group

Main phase

ESA work capability groups determine your payment amount and requirements after the assessment phase.

Work-related activity group:

• Qualify if: you have limited capability for work but the assessment doesn't place you in the support group
• Attend: work-focused interviews and work-related activity as directed
• Expect time limits: payments last up to 365 days for New Style ESA
• Complete activities: small steps towards employment such as CV writing and job searching

Support group:

• Qualify if: the assessment finds you have limited capability for work-related activity, so you don't need to undertake work-related activity as part of your ESA claim
• Meet conditions: the Work Capability Assessment or special rules for end of life determine this, with less than 12 months to live (this rule recently changed from 6 months)
• Receive unlimited payments: no time limit applies to ESA payments
• Skip work activities: no work-related requirements apply

During the main phase of your ESA claim you'll receive:

• Work-related activity group: up to £90.50 per week
• Support group:up to £140.55 per week

Understanding the work capability assessment

After you apply for ESA, you usually need to complete a work capability assessment. This helps determine how your illness or disability affects your ability to work.

What happens during your assessment

You'll receive a questionnaire to fill out about your health condition. Once you return it, a healthcare professional might ask you to attend an assessment. This can happen in person, over the phone, or by video call. The assessor will ask about your daily life and how your condition impacts your routine.

Assessment outcomes and what they mean

After your assessment, you'll receive a decision letter explaining your result. If you're eligible for ESA, the Department for Work and Pensions will place you into one of two groups.

• Work-related activity group: You get support to prepare for returning to work in the future
• Support group: You receive a higher payment rate and don't need to prepare for work

How to claim ESA

Gather these documents before starting your ESA application to speed up the process:

• Your National Insurance number
• Your bank or building society details
• Your doctor's name and address
• Details of your illness or disability and how it affects your work
• Employment details including dates and employer contact information
• Details of any sick pay or benefits you've received

You can apply for New Style ESA online or by phone. Contact the Department for Work and Pensions at 0800 328 5644 (textphone 0800 328 1344) or visit gov.uk to apply online.

FAQs on Employment and Support Allowance

Here are answers to commonly asked questions about Employment and Support Allowance.

Can I work while claiming ESA?

Yes, you can work under permitted work rules. You can work up to 16 hours per week and earn up to £183.50 per week while claiming ESA. This allows you to maintain some business operations whilst receiving support.

How long does it take to get a decision on my ESA claim?

The assessment phase typically lasts up to 13 weeks. During this time, you'll receive the assessment rate payment. After the Work Capability Assessment, you'll receive a decision letter explaining which group you've been placed in and your new payment amount.

What happens if I disagree with my ESA assessment?

If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for mandatory reconsideration. You must request this within one month of receiving your decision letter. If you're still not satisfied after the reconsideration, you can appeal to an independent tribunal.

Can I claim ESA if I'm self-employed?

Yes, self-employed people can claim ESA if they meet the eligibility criteria. You'll need to have paid enough National Insurance contributions in the last two complete tax years and provide medical evidence that your health condition affects your ability to work.

What's the difference between New Style ESA and Universal Credit?

New Style ESA is based on your National Insurance contributions and isn't means-tested against savings or household income. Universal Credit is a means-tested benefit that considers your household income and savings. You may be able to claim both if you meet the eligibility criteria for each.