- \n
- Types of Employment and Support Allowance<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Who is Eligible for the New Style ESA<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How to Apply for the New Style ESA<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- What is a Work Capability Assessment?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Understanding ESA Grouping<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How Long to get a Decision on ESA Claim<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How can I Appeal an ESA Decision?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- How Much ESA Benefit Will I Receive?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Can I Work and Get ESA?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- What is a Periodic Review?<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nTypes of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There are two types of ESA, these are based on the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Contribution-based ESA<\/strong>: Based on your National Insurance (NI) contributions<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Income-related ESA<\/strong>: Based on your income and savings <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Income-related ESA is currently being replaced by Universal Credit. The government began notifying people that they will move to Universal Credit in September 2024, the aim is for everyone to be transferred over by the end of December 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n
You can apply for Universal Credit as well as the New Style ESA but your payments may be reduced.<\/p>\nGeorgina’s Disability Saving Tips<\/strong><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
The new style ESA is based on your National Insurance contributions and is not means-tested, so even if your household has savings it will not impact you receiving ESA payments as long as you meet the criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWho is Eligible for the New Style ESA<\/strong>?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You can apply for the New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) if you are under State Pension age and you have a disability or health condition that impacts how much you can work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To be eligible for ESA benefit you need to meet the following criteria:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Age<\/strong>: You must be over 16 and under the State Pension age<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Work Status<\/strong>: You cannot be receiving Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or be in work that pays above a certain threshold (see ESA and Permitted Work<\/a> article)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Medical Condition<\/strong>: You must have a health condition or disability that limits your ability to work<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
You will also need to have been paying National Insurance or have paid enough contributions to qualify for receiving ESA<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- you have worked as an employee or have been self-employed<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- you have paid enough National Insurance contributions within the last 2 to 3 years (this also includes National Insurance Credits<\/a>)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
You can check your National Insurance record<\/a> for any gaps in your National Insurance payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please note that if you receive Statutory Sick Pay from your employer you are not eligible to claim ESA support.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow to Apply for the New Style ESA?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The process for applying for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) involves several stages, from submitting your application to having a medical assessment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Gather Your Necessary Documents<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You will need to supply information to help with your claim, this includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Your National Insurance Number<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Your bank account number and sort code<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Your doctor’s details – name, address, telephone number etc<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- A fit note<\/a> from your doctor this is sometimes called a \u2018sick note\u2019 or a \u2018statement of fitness for work\u2019. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Details of your income, if you\u2019re working<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- The date your Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) ends, if you receive it (you cannot get New Style ESA if you\u2019re getting Statutory Sick Pay from an employer. You can apply for New Style ESA up to 3 months before your sick pay ends)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/wp.purpldiscounts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/How_to_apply_for_ESA_purpl_blog_image2.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n2. Submit Your Claim<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- You can apply for ESA either:\n
- \n
- Online<\/strong> via the Government website<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- By Phone<\/strong>: Call the Jobcentre Employment and Support Allowance helpline at 0800 055 6688<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
During this process, you will need to provide your personal, medical, and financial information as listed previously.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Complete an ESA50 Form (Limited Capability for Work Questionnaire)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- After your initial claim, you will be sent a \u2018Capability for Work Questionnaire’ also referred as a ESA50 form<\/strong>. This is a more detailed questionnaire about how your health condition affects your ability to work and complete everyday activities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Please note that you may not receive this until 2-3 months after you have applied <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- You must complete and return the form within four weeks, including any additional medical evidence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If you are late returning the form, there is a section where you can explain why and this will be taken into consideration.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Some people will automatically receive Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) without the need of the form – for example: you are terminally ill with a year left to live – you can read more about this on the Citizen’s Advice website<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat is a Work Capability Assessment?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
As part of the Employment and Support Allowance process, you will usually be asked to attend a Work Capability Assessment (WCA)<\/strong>. This is a medical assessment to determine the extent of your health issues and how they affect your ability to work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ESA Assessments can be in person or on a video\/phone call. They will let you know in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can bring someone to attend the assessment with you, such as a friend or support worker. If your assessment is by phone or video call, you can ask the assessor to call them if they\u2019re not with you when the assessment starts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This normally takes place within 3 months of ESA50 form being returned<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The work capability assessment is conducted by a healthcare professional who will ask questions and may perform physical or mental health assessments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is a points based system where they will report on how well you can carry out a range of activities, both physical and mental tasks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nUnderstanding ESA Groups<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Based on the WCA (work capability assessment) results, you will be placed in one of two groups:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Support Group<\/strong>: You won\u2019t be expected to work or engage in work-related activities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Work-Related Activity Group (WRAG)<\/strong>: You\u2019ll be expected to engage in activities like job training or work preparation but not necessarily work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
For more information please visit The Disability Rights website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow Long to get a Decision on ESA Claim?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
After the WCA assessment, you\u2019ll receive a letter with the decision, this usually takes between 4-8 weeks after your assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your letter will tell you whether you are eligible for ESA disability support and which group you\u2019ve been placed in, either the ESA Support Group or the ESA Work-Related Activity Group (WRAG).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow Can I Appeal an ESA Decision?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
If you disagree with the decision that has been made about whether you are entitled to ESA benefits, you can request a Mandatory Reconsideration<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your case will be reconsidered<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you still don’t agree with the decision after the reconsideration, you can appeal to an independent tribunal. You must do this within one month of receiving the decision<\/strong>. For more information please visit the Government website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow Much ESA Benefit Will I Receive? (September 2024)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This depends on what stage your application is at, it also takes into consideration your age and the likelihood of you being able to return to work full.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the New Style ESA you\u2019ll earn Class 1 National Insurance credits, which will go towards your State Pension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are eligible for Employment and Support Allowance ESA, you will receive payments as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prior to ESA Assessment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You will normally get the \u2018assessment rate\u2019 for 13 weeks while your claim is being assessed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- up to \u00a371.70 a week if you\u2019re aged under 25 <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- up to \u00a390.50 a week if you\u2019re aged 25 or over<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If it takes longer than 13 weeks for your ESA claim to be assessed, you will continue getting the assessment rate until you get a decision or until your Employment and Support Allowance is due to end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your ESA disability payment will be backdated if you are owed any extra money after 13 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After ESA Work Capability Assessment<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
This will depend on which ESA group you are assign to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- up to \u00a390.50 a week if you\u2019re in the ESA work-related activity group<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- up to \u00a3138.20 a week if you\u2019re in the ESA support group<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
If you are in the ESA Support Group and received income related ESA<\/strong>
You will also be entitled to the enhanced disability premium, and potentially you could qualify for the severe disability premium. To find out more or to apply for a disability premium<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\nESA Payments will be made directly into your bank account every two weeks.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/wp.purpldiscounts.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/How_to_apply_for_ESA_purpl_blog_image1-2.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nCan I Work and Receive ESA?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
You can apply to do Permitted Work – for more information please read our article about ESA and Permitted Work<\/a> so you understand the criteria for being approved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Work-Related Activity Group (WRAG)<\/strong>: You\u2019ll be expected to engage in activities like job training or work preparation but not necessarily work.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- By Phone<\/strong>: Call the Jobcentre Employment and Support Allowance helpline at 0800 055 6688<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Online<\/strong> via the Government website<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Work Status<\/strong>: You cannot be receiving Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) or be in work that pays above a certain threshold (see ESA and Permitted Work<\/a> article)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Income-related ESA<\/strong>: Based on your income and savings <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- Who is Eligible for the New Style ESA<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n