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.
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:
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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