The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is well known for its dedication to supporting people with health problems through a range of benefits. One such benefit is Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), which is now available to millions of UK residents.
The purpose of ESA is to provide financial assistance to those whose ability to work is affected by a disability or health condition. It can be used to cover living expenses if the beneficiary is unable to work, or to facilitate their return to the labour market.
Applicable to employees, the self-employed and the unemployed, the benefit was increased by 6.7% in April as part of the government's initiative to support the most vulnerable households.
Who is Eligible for DWP's ESA?
Currently, approximately 1.7 million individuals in the UK receive ESA. In order to qualify for the 'new' ESA, a person must be of pensionable age and have a medical condition or disability that affects their ability to work.
Furthermore, you should have worked in an employed or self-employed capacity, paying sufficient National Insurance contributions, usually over the last two or three years.
However, you may not claim the new ESA if you are already receiving Jobseeker's Allowance or Statutory Sick Pay. Instead, you may qualify if you are also in receipt of Universal Tax Credit.
But, it's important to note that any Universal Credit payment you receive will be reduced by the amount you are entitled to under the new ESA.
The latest DWP calculations show that 23 groups of health problems are eligible for employment-related social assistance. The following groups are eligible:
- Certain infectious and parasitic diseases
- Neoplasms
- Diseases of the blood and blood-forming organs and certain diseases involving the immune mechanism
- Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases
- Mental and behavioural disorders
- Diseases of the nervous system
- Diseases of the eye and adnexa
- Diseases of the ear and mastoid process
- Diseases of the circulatory system
- Diseases of the respiratory system
- Diseases of the digestive system
- Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous system
- Disease of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue
- Diseases of the genito-urinary system
- Pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium
- Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period
- Congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities
- Symptoms, signs, and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings not elsewhere classified
- Injury, poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes
- External causes of morbidity and mortality
- Factors influencing health status and contact with health services
- Codes for special purposes
- Unknown or claimants without diagnosis on the system
ESA Payment Rates
A 6.7% increase in benefits from April means higher ESA payments if you qualify. The new weekly rates are as follows:
| Status | Rates |
|---|---|
| Single, under 25 | £71.70 (Previous Rate £67.20) |
| Single, 25 or over | £90.50 (Previous Rate £84.80) |
| Lone parent, under 18 | £71.70 (Previous Rate £67.20) |
| Lone parent, over 18 | £90.50 (Previous Rate £80.50) |
| Couple, both under 18 | £71.70 (Previous Rate £67.20) |
| Couple, both under 18 with child | £108.30 (Previous Rate £101.50) |
| Couple, both over 18 | £142.25 (Previous Rate £133.30) |
In addition, the premiums have also been updated. The ESA is paid every two weeks, which means, for instance, if you are single and over 25, you will receive £181 every fortnight or £362 if you receive two payments in a four-week period.
How to Apply for ESA
You can request the ESA either online or by telephone on 0800 055 6688. In order to apply, you will need:
- Your National Insurance number
- Your bank or building society account number and sort code (you can use a friend or family member's account if you don't have one)
- Your doctor's name, address, and telephone number
- A valid note if you've not been able to work for more than seven days in a row because of a disability or health condition
- Details of your income if you're working
- The date your statutory sick pay (SSP) ends if you're claiming it
After submitting your application, you will be contacted by telephone and told when and where to send your evidence.