If you’re ill or disabled, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) offers you financial support if you’re unable to work and gives personalised help so that you can work if you’re able to.
You can apply for help if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed.
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Information Updated April 2023
What you will get
How much you get will depend on what stage your application is at, as well as things like your age and whether you’re able to get back into work.
If you get ‘new style’ ESA you’ll earn Class 1 National Insurance credits, which can help towards your State Pension and some benefits in the future.
You cannot make a new claim for income-related ESA. You’ll continue to get payments while you’re eligible until your claim ends.
Neither your or your partner’s savings or income will affect how much ‘new style’ ESA you’re paid. But a private pension worth more than £85 per week may affect how much you can get.
If you get income-related ESA, your household income and savings worth £6,000 or more may affect how much you can get.
While your claim is being assessed
You’ll normally get the ‘assessment rate’ for 13 weeks while your claim is being assessed.
This will be:
- up to £67.20 a week if you’re aged under 25
- up to £84.80 a week if you’re aged 25 or over
If it takes longer than 13 weeks to assess your claim, you’ll continue getting the ‘assessment rate’ until you get a decision or until your ESA is due to end.
Your ESA will be backdated if you’re owed any money after 13 weeks.
After you’re assessed
You’ll be placed into one of 2 groups if you’re entitled to ESA. If you’re able to get back into work in the future, you’ll be put into the work-related activity group. Otherwise, you’ll be put into the support group.
You’ll get:
- up to £84.80 a week if you’re in the work-related activity group
- up to £128.85 a week if you’re in the support group
You will get ESA every two weeks