How to apply for ESA, who is eligible to claim Employment and Support Allowance and how much is it?
PEOPLE who are ill or disabled can apply for a state benefit called Employment and Support Allowance, even if they are in work.
Here's our guide to who's eligible and how to apply for the money.
Who is eligible for ESA?
Employment and Support Allowance offers financial help to people who cannot work because they are ill or disabled, and personalised support to help people work if they are able.
How much each person may be entitled to varies but it can be up to £188 a week for those in most need.
You can apply for ESA if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed, the DWP says.
You might be transferred to ESA if you’ve been claiming other benefits like Income Support or Incapacity Benefit.
If assessors decide you are eligible for support, they will then look at your work history and place you in one of two categories.
If you’ve been in steady employment and paying National Insurance, you are likely to qualify for contribution-based ESA.
Those who have been in a very low-paid work or unemployed are more likely to get income-related ESA group.
There is also a "new-style" ESA benefit for people who are entitled to Universal Credit.
How do you for ESA and how much do you get?
The quickest way to apply is by phone.
The freephone numbers - which are different for "new style" and "old style" ESA - are available on .
You can also fill in form ESA1 and take it to a local Jobcentre.
Claimants must undergo a Work Capability Assessment.
An assessor will ask questions about what you can do and decide if you are capable of work.
This test, run by private contractors, has been extremely controversial.
The government has spent hundreds of millions dealing with appeals from almost 300,000 people who have been wrongly assessed, MPs said.
After the assessment, you will be placed in one of two groups if you are entitled to ESA:
- work-related activity group, where you’ll have regular interviews with an adviser for help with skills and job goals
- support group, where you don’t have interviews but you can talk to a personal adviser if you wish
How much ESA you get depends on individual circumstances and the type of ESA you qualify for.
While waiting to be assessed, which takes around three months, you normally get £57.90 a week if you’re aged under 25 or up to £73.10 a week if you’re 25 or over.
After that, the rate is:
- up to £73.10 a week if you’re in the work-related activity group
- up to £109.65 a week if you’re in the support group
There is an extra £15.90 a week available for those in the support group who are on income-related , an extra £62.45 per week.
Those in the work-related group may find the amount they get is limited by the benefit cap, but those in the support group are not affected.
ESA payments can be reduced or stopped if you don't attend interviews as required.
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