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class="govuk-grid-row"> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds"> <div class="gem-c-title govuk-!-margin-top-8 govuk-!-margin-bottom-8"> <h1 class="gem-c-title__text govuk-heading-xl"> Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) </h1> </div> <a class="gem-c-skip-link govuk-skip-link govuk-!-display-none-print" data-module="govuk-skip-link" href="#guide-contents">Skip to contents of guide</a> <aside class="part-navigation-container" role="complementary"> <nav class="gem-c-contents-list" aria-label="Pages in this guide" role="navigation" data-module="gem-track-click"> <h2 class="gem-c-contents-list__title"> Contents </h2> <ol class="gem-c-contents-list__list"> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed gem-c-contents-list__list-item--active" aria-current="true"> Overview </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link" data-track-category="contentsClicked" 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href="/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/your-esa-claim">Your ESA claim</a> </li> <li class="gem-c-contents-list__list-item gem-c-contents-list__list-item--dashed"> <a class="gem-c-contents-list__link govuk-link" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="content_item 7" data-track-label="/employment-support-allowance/change-of-circumstances" data-track-options="{"dimension29":"Report a change of circumstances"}" href="/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/change-of-circumstances">Report a change of circumstances</a> </li> </ol> </nav> </aside> </div> <div class="govuk-grid-column-two-thirds" id="guide-contents"> <h1 class="part-title"> Overview </h1> <div class="gem-c-govspeak govuk-govspeak direction-ltr disable-youtube" data-module="govspeak"> <p>You can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (<abbr title="Employment and Support Allowance">ESA</abbr>) if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work.</p> <p><abbr title="Employment and Support Allowance">ESA</abbr> gives you:</p> <ul> <li>money to help with living costs if you’re unable to work</li> <li>support to get back into work if you’re able to</li> </ul> <p>You can apply if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed.</p> <div role="note" aria-label="Information" class="application-notice info-notice"> <p>This guide is also available <a href="/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/lwfans-cyflogaeth-a-chymorth">in Welsh (Cymraeg)</a>.</p> </div> </div> <nav class="govuk-pagination govuk-pagination--block" role="navigation" aria-label="Pagination"> <div class="govuk-pagination__next"> <a class="govuk-link govuk-pagination__link" href="/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/eligibility" rel="next" data-track-category="contentsClicked" data-track-action="next" data-track-label="/employment-support-allowance/eligibility" data-track-dimension="next" 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src="http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/static/application-087272cd04e26ba8d2c7c0ccef5db8dcc67495fdae7ef356f838d916abeda4c6.js"></script> <script src="/web/20221007155714js_/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/application-cc1b87cb7f7a7266f46b044ca2fdbe06fe48f196c15b5dbc53f62ca09af57aba.js"></script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/http://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance" }, "name": "Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)", "datePublished": "2012-01-19T13:40:46.000+00:00", "dateModified": "2014-12-03T15:12:27.000+00:00", "text": "Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) money if you cannot work because of illness or disability - rates, eligibility, apply, assessment.", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "GOV.UK", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-logo-73b5a4056ffe9988d02c728b56fe9fe7f90bb822322a5f6183ccbb92a99b019a.png" } }, "image": [ "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-1x1-bf9e64d759af6dfd93bede8168f3087a329f405b382aff36747db0db4b7b23e9.png", "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-4x3-13093f053c15f613acd827aff27cac83d3fab452947cbcae4c7b706dadf2f7f2.png", "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-schema-placeholder-16x9-4233cd42671827e266e284c4d5ae68fb600bd9f9e35dda663ccabbc2b6ab7ec3.png" ], "author": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Government Digital Service", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/government-digital-service" }, "about": [ { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "sameAs": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/disabilities-benefits" }, { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "sameAs": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/welfare/entitlement" }, { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "sameAs": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/welfare/disability" }, { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/http://schema.org", "@type": "Thing", "sameAs": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/welfare/jobseekers-allowance" } ], "headLine": "Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)", "description": "Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) money if you cannot work because of illness or disability - rates, eligibility, apply, assessment.", "articleBody": "\u003cp\u003eYou can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (\u003cabbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\"\u003eESA\u003c/abbr\u003e) if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cabbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\"\u003eESA\u003c/abbr\u003e gives you:\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003emoney to help with living costs if you’re unable to work\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003esupport to get back into work if you’re able to\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou can apply if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed.\u003c/p\u003e\n\n\u003cdiv role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis guide is also available \u003ca href=\"/lwfans-cyflogaeth-a-chymorth\"\u003ein Welsh (Cymraeg)\u003c/a\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\n" } </script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/http://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "item": { "name": "Home", "@id": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "item": { "name": "Benefits", "@id": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits" } }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "item": { "name": "Benefits and financial support if you're disabled or have a health condition", "@id": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits/disability" } } ] } </script><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/http://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "headline": "Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)", "description": "Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) money if you cannot work because of illness or disability - rates, eligibility, apply, assessment.", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "GOV.UK", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/assets/government-frontend/govuk_publishing_components/govuk-logo-73b5a4056ffe9988d02c728b56fe9fe7f90bb822322a5f6183ccbb92a99b019a.png" } }, "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Overview", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance", "text": "<p>You can apply for Employment and Support Allowance (<abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>) if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work.</p>\n\n<p><abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> gives you:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>money to help with living costs if you’re unable to work</li>\n <li>support to get back into work if you’re able to</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You can apply if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed.</p>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>This guide is also available <a href=\"/lwfans-cyflogaeth-a-chymorth\">in Welsh (Cymraeg)</a>.</p>\n</div>\n\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Eligibility", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/eligibility", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/eligibility", "text": "<p>You can apply for ‘new style’ Employment and Support Allowance (<abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>) if you’re under <a href=\"/state-pension-age\">State Pension age</a> and you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work.</p>\n\n<p>You also need to have both:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>worked as an employee or have been self-employed</li>\n <li>paid enough National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years - <a href=\"/national-insurance-credits\">National Insurance credits</a> also count</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p><a href=\"/check-national-insurance-record\">Check your National Insurance record</a> for gaps.</p>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>You might be able to get <a href=\"/universal-credit\">Universal Credit</a> at the same time or instead of ‘new style’ ESA.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-you-get-other-benefits\">If you get other benefits</h2>\n\n<p>You cannot get ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> if you:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>claim <a href=\"/jobseekers-allowance\">Jobseeker’s Allowance</a>\n</li>\n <li>claim <a href=\"/statutory-sick-pay\">Statutory Sick Pay</a>\n</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-you-get-universal-credit\">If you get Universal Credit</h3>\n\n<p>If you get <a href=\"/universal-credit\">Universal Credit</a>, you could get ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> at the same time.</p>\n\n<p>If you get both benefits, your Universal Credit payment is reduced by the amount you get for ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>.</p>\n\n<p><abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> is usually paid more regularly than Universal Credit, and you get different <a href=\"/national-insurance-credits\">National Insurance credits</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-your-statutory-sick-pay-ssp-is-due-to-end\">If your Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) is due to end</h2>\n\n<p>You can apply for ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> up to 3 months before your SSP ends. You’ll start getting ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> as soon as your SSP ends.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-youre-working\">If you’re working</h2>\n\n<p>You can apply whether you’re in or out of work. <a href=\"/employment-support-allowance/working-while-you-claim\">There are conditions to working while claiming <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr></a>.</p>\n\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "What you'll get", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/what-youll-get", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/what-youll-get", "text": "<p>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.</p>\n\n<p>If you get ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> you’ll earn Class 1 <a href=\"/national-insurance-credits\">National Insurance credits</a>, which can help towards your State Pension and some benefits in the future.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"what-might-affect-how-much-you-get-paid\">What might affect how much you get paid</h2>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>You cannot make a new claim for income-related ESA. You’ll continue to get payments while you’re eligible until your claim ends.</p>\n</div>\n\n<p>Neither your or your partner’s savings or income will affect how much ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> you’re paid. But a private pension worth more than £85 per week may affect how much you can get.</p>\n\n<p>If you get income-related <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>, your household income and savings worth £6,000 or more may affect how much you can get.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"while-your-claim-is-being-assessed\">While your claim is being assessed</h2>\n\n<p>You’ll normally get the ‘assessment rate’ for 13 weeks while your claim is being assessed.</p>\n\n<p>This will be:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>up to £61.05 a week if you’re aged under 25</li>\n <li>up to £77.00 a week if you’re aged 25 or over</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>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 <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> is due to end.</p>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>Because of coronavirus (COVID-19), it’s taking longer than usual to assess claims. Your payments will end after one year if you have not <a href=\"/employment-support-allowance/your-esa-claim\">received a decision</a>. You should continue <a href=\"/send-fit-note\">sending fit notes</a> until you get an assessment.</p>\n</div>\n\n<p>Your <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> will be backdated if you’re owed any money after 13 weeks.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"after-youre-assessed\">After you’re assessed</h2>\n\n<p>You’ll be placed into one of 2 groups if you’re entitled to <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>. 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.</p>\n\n<p>You’ll get:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>up to £77.00 a week if you’re in the work-related activity group</li>\n <li>up to £117.60 a week if you’re in the support group</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-youre-in-the-support-group\">If you’re in the support group</h3>\n\n<p>If you’re in the support group and on income-related <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>, you’re also entitled to the enhanced disability premium.</p>\n\n<p>You may also qualify for the severe disability premium.</p>\n\n<p>Find out how to <a href=\"/disability-premiums\">apply for a disability premium</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-and-when-youre-paid\">How and when you’re paid</h2>\n\n<p>You’ll get paid <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> every 2 weeks.</p>\n\n<p><a href=\"/how-to-have-your-benefits-paid\">Find out how and when your benefits are paid</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"other-benefits-you-can-claim\">Other benefits you can claim</h2>\n\n<p>You could get <a href=\"/universal-credit\">Universal Credit</a> at the same time as ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>.</p>\n\n<p>Use a <a href=\"/benefits-calculators\">benefits calculator</a> to find out what other benefits you could get, for example Personal Independence Payment (<abbr title=\"Personal Independence Payment\">PIP</abbr>) if you have a long-term health condition or disability.</p>\n\n<p>The <a href=\"/benefit-cap\">benefit cap</a> may affect the total amount of benefit you can get. The cap will not affect you if you’re in the support group.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-youre-moving-to-universal-credit-from-income-related-esa\">If you’re moving to Universal Credit from income-related <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>\n</h2>\n\n<p>If your income-related <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> claim is ending because you’re making a new claim for Universal Credit, you’ll automatically continue to get the amount of <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> you currently receive, as long as you’re still eligible. You’ll normally get this for 2 weeks, starting from the date of your new claim.</p>\n\n<p>The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will write to you telling you how this works.</p>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>You do not need to pay this money back, and it will not affect the amount of Universal Credit you get.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"budgeting-loan\">Budgeting Loan</h2>\n\n<p>You can apply for a <a href=\"/budgeting-help-benefits/eligibility\">Budgeting Loan</a> if you’ve been on income-related <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> for at least 6 months.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"advice-on-money-and-debt\">Advice on money and debt</h2>\n\n<p>You can get help and advice from your Jobcentre Plus work coach or:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/\">Citizens Advice</a></li>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en\">Money Helper</a></li>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.nationaldebtline.org/\">National Debtline</a></li>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.shelter.org.uk/\">Shelter</a></li>\n <li><a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.turn2us.org.uk/\">Turn2us</a></li>\n</ul>\n\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Working while you claim", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/working-while-you-claim", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/working-while-you-claim", "text": "<p>You can usually work while you are claiming <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> if both of the following apply:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>you work less than 16 hours a week</li>\n <li>you do not earn more than £152 a week</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You can do as many hours of voluntary work as you like.</p>\n\n<p>Tell JobCentre Plus about your work including any volunteering when you make a claim.</p>\n\n<p>If you’re already claiming <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> and want to start work, <a href=\"/government/publications/employment-and-support-allowance-permitted-work-form\">fill in the <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> permitted work form</a>. Send the form to Jobcentre Plus.</p>\n\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How to claim", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim", "text": "<p>You could get Universal Credit at the same time or instead of ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>. \n<a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit/eligibility\">Check if you’re eligible for Universal Credit</a>.</p>\n\n<p>There’s a different way to <a rel=\"external\" href=\"http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/employment-and-support-allowance-people-with-disabilities\">apply in Northern Ireland</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"what-you-need-to-apply\">What you need to apply</h2>\n\n<p>You’ll need:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>your National Insurance number</li>\n <li>your bank or building society account number and sort code (you can use a friend or family member’s account if you do not have one)</li>\n <li>your doctor’s name, address and telephone number</li>\n <li>a <a href=\"/taking-sick-leave\">fit note</a> (sometimes called a ‘sick note’ or a ‘statement of fitness for work’) if you’ve not been able to work for more than 7 days in a row because of a disability or health condition</li>\n <li>details of your income, if you’re working</li>\n <li>the date your Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) ends, if you’re claiming it</li>\n</ul>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>You cannot get ‘new style’ ESA if you’re getting Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from an employer. You can apply for ‘new style’ ESA up to 3 months before your SSP ends.</p>\n</div>\n\n<p>Once you’ve applied, you’ll be contacted by phone and told when to give the evidence and where to send it.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"apply-online-for-esa\">Apply online for <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>\n</h2>\n\n<p><a class=\"gem-c-button govuk-button govuk-button--start\" role=\"button\" draggable=\"false\" href=\"https://www.apply-new-style-employment-support-allowance.service.gov.uk/\"> Apply now <svg class=\"govuk-button__start-icon govuk-!-display-none-print\" xmlns=\"http://www.w3.org/2000/svg\" width=\"17.5\" height=\"19\" viewbox=\"0 0 33 40\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M0 0h13l20 20-20 20H0l20-20z\"></path></svg></a></p>\n\n<h2 id=\"when-you-can-apply-by-phone\">When you can apply by phone</h2>\n\n<p>Call the Jobcentre Plus new claims helpline if:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>you cannot make an application online</li>\n <li>you’re an appointee for someone</li>\n</ul>\n\n<div class=\"contact\">\n<h3 id=\"jobcentre-plus-new-claims-helpline\">Jobcentre Plus new claims helpline</h3>\n<p>Telephone: 0800 055 6688<br>\nTextphone: 0800 328 1344<br>\n<a href=\"https://www.relayuk.bt.com\">Relay UK</a> (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 055 6688<br>\nBritish Sign Language (BSL) <a href=\"https://portal.starleaf.com/webrtc?name=DWP&target=DWP@interpreterslive.call.sl\">video relay service</a> if you’re on a computer - find out how to <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZJc6OKmAUA\">use the service on mobile or tablet</a><br>\nWelsh language telephone: 0800 328 1744<br>\nMonday to Friday, 8am to 5pm<br>\n<a href=\"/call-charges\">Find out about call charges</a></p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"after-you-apply\">After you apply</h2>\n\n<p>The Department for Work and Pensions (<abbr title=\"Department for Work and Pensions\">DWP</abbr>) will contact you within 10 working days of applying.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-youre-eligible\">If you’re eligible</h3>\n\n<p><abbr title=\"Department for Work and Pensions\">DWP</abbr> will contact you within 10 working days to schedule an appointment that you must attend. It will normally be over the phone with a work coach from your local Jobcentre Plus office.</p>\n\n<p>Your work coach will explain what you need to do to get ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>. They will create an agreement with you called a ‘Claimant Commitment’.</p>\n\n<p>You must agree to your Claimant Commitment before you can get ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>.</p>\n\n<p>At the appointment, you’ll be asked to:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>explain how your illness or disability affects your ability to work</li>\n <li>provide medical evidence</li>\n <li>agree to <a href=\"/employment-support-allowance/change-of-circumstances\">tell your local Jobcentre Plus if your circumstances change</a>\n</li>\n</ul>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>If a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live, you will not need to attend an appointment or make a Claimant Commitment. Find out more about <a href=\"/benefits-end-of-life\">getting benefits if you’re nearing the end of life</a>.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-youre-not-eligible\">If you’re not eligible</h3>\n\n<p><abbr title=\"Department for Work and Pensions\">DWP</abbr> will send you a letter within 10 working days of applying to explain why you’re not eligible for <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-you-disagree-with-a-decision\">If you disagree with a decision</h2>\n\n<p>You can <a href=\"/mandatory-reconsideration\">challenge a decision</a> about your claim. This is called asking for ‘mandatory reconsideration’.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"reapplying-for-esa\">Reapplying for <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>\n</h2>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>You cannot make a new claim for income-related ESA. You’ll continue to get payments while you’re eligible until your claim ends.</p>\n</div>\n\n<p>You may be able to reapply after your ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> ends. You may qualify again depending on:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>what National Insurance contributions you paid in the last 2 full tax years before the tax year you’re claiming in</li>\n <li>whether you’re placed in the support group because you developed a new condition or your health deteriorated</li>\n</ul>\n\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Your ESA claim", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/your-esa-claim", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/your-esa-claim", "text": "<p>After you’ve made your claim, you’ll be told if you need to have a ‘Work Capability Assessment’ and what group you’ll be put in.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"work-capability-assessment\">Work Capability Assessment</h2>\n\n<p>A Work Capability Assessment is used to find out if your illness or disability affects how much you can work.</p>\n\n<p>You might not need one, for example if you’re in hospital or a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live.</p>\n\n<p>If you need a Work Capability Assessment you’ll get a letter telling you to fill in the <a href=\"/government/publications/capability-for-work-questionnaire\">‘Capability for work questionnaire’</a> and send it to the Health Assessment Advisory Service. The address is on the form. There is a <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/publications/capability-work-questionnaire-esa50\">different questionnaire in Northern Ireland</a>.</p>\n\n<p>You’ll be told what happens next, for example if you need an appointment to understand your health condition better.</p>\n\n<p>If you’re claiming both Universal Credit and ‘new style’ <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>, you’ll only have one Work Capability Assessment.</p>\n\n<p>You can ask for your assessment to be recorded. If you would like this, tell the Health Assessment Advisory Service using the contact details in your appointment invite letter.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-the-assessment-happens\">How the assessment happens</h2>\n\n<p>Assessments can be in person, by video call or on the phone. You’ll be told how your assessment will take place.</p>\n\n<p>If you’re asked to attend in person <a href=\"/government/publications/attending-a-face-to-face-health-assessment-during-covid-19\">you’ll be told how to do this safely because of coronavirus (COVID-19)</a>. You can bring one adult from your household with you.</p>\n\n<p>If your assessment is by phone or video call, you can have someone else with you, for example a friend or support worker. You can ask the assessor to call them if they’re not with you when the assessment starts.</p>\n\n<p>You’ll stay on the ‘assessment rate’ until a decision can be made on your Work Capability Assessment.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"after-your-claim-is-assessed\">After your claim is assessed</h2>\n\n<p>If you’re entitled to <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> you’ll be placed in one of 2 groups:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>a work-related activity group (you cannot work now, but can prepare to work in the future, for example by writing a CV)</li>\n <li>a support group (you cannot work now and you’re not expected to prepare for work in the future)</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You will:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>usually be in the support group if your illness or disability severely limits what you can do</li>\n <li>be in the support group if a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live</li>\n</ul>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-youre-in-the-work-related-activity-group\">If you’re in the work-related activity group</h3>\n<p>You must attend regular interviews with a work coach. They can help you improve your skills or write a CV to help you get back into work.</p>\n\n<h3 id=\"if-youre-in-the-support-group\">If you’re in the support group</h3>\n\n<p>You do not have to go to interviews. You can tell your work coach if you’d like to take part in work-related activities.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-long-youll-get-esa-for\">How long you’ll get <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> for</h2>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>You cannot make a new claim for income-related ESA. You’ll continue to get payments while you’re eligible until your claim ends.</p>\n</div>\n\n<p>‘New style’ and contribution-based <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> last for 365 days if you’re in the work-related activity group.</p>\n\n<p>There’s no time limit if you’re in the support group, or if you’re getting income-related <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>.</p>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>Because of COVID-19, it’s taking longer than usual to assess claims. Your payments will end after one year if you have not been placed in a group. You should continue to <a href=\"/send-fit-note\">send fit notes</a> until you get an assessment. Your ESA will be backdated if you’re owed <a href=\"/employment-support-allowance/what-youll-get\">any money you’re entitled to</a>.</p>\n</div>\n\n<p>To keep getting <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> you must report any <a href=\"/employment-support-allowance/change-of-circumstances\">change in your circumstances</a>. You may also need to <a href=\"/send-fit-note\">send fit notes</a> regularly.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-you-get-a-sanction\">If you get a sanction</h2>\n\n<p>Your <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> can be reduced if you do not attend interviews or do work-related activity as agreed with your work coach in your ‘Claimant Commitment’. This reduction can continue for up to 4 weeks after you restart work-related activities.</p>\n\n<p>You’ll get a letter to say you may be sanctioned. Tell your work coach if you have a good reason for not doing what was agreed in your Claimant Commitment.</p>\n\n<p>You’ll get another letter if the decision is made to give you a sanction. Your benefit will only be affected once a decision has been made.</p>\n\n<p>You should <a href=\"/find-local-council\">contact your local council</a> immediately if you claim Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction. They’ll tell you what to do to continue getting support.</p>\n\n<p>If you get a sanction you can:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li><a href=\"/appeal-benefit-decision\">ask for the decision to be looked at again</a></li>\n <li>ask for a hardship payment</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>You will not get a sanction if you’re in the support group.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"hardship-payments\">Hardship payments</h2>\n\n<p>If you get income-related <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>, you may be able to get a hardship payment if your benefit has been reduced because of a sanction or a <a href=\"/benefit-fraud\">penalty due to suspected benefit fraud</a>.</p>\n\n<p>A hardship payment is a reduced amount of your <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>. You do not have to pay it back.</p>\n\n<p>You can get a hardship payment if you cannot pay for rent, heating, food or other basic needs for you or your family. You must be 18 or over.</p>\n\n<p>Speak to your <a href=\"/contact-jobcentre-plus/existing-benefit-claims\">Jobcentre Plus adviser</a> or work coach to find out how to claim a hardship payment.</p>\n\n" } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Report a change of circumstances", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/change-of-circumstances", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "url": "http://web.archive.org/web/20221007155714/https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/change-of-circumstances", "text": "<p>You need to report changes to your circumstances so you keep getting the right amount of Employment and Support Allowance (<abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>).</p>\n\n<p>Your claim might be stopped or reduced if you do not report a change straight away.</p>\n\n<p>A change of circumstance can include:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>starting or stopping work, education, training or an apprenticeship</li>\n <li>moving house</li>\n <li>changing your name</li>\n <li>people moving into or out of the place you live (for example your partner or a child)</li>\n <li>changes to the benefits you or anyone else in your house gets</li>\n <li>changes to your pension, savings, investments or property</li>\n <li>changes to other money you get (for example student loans or grants, sick pay or money you get from a charity)</li>\n <li>changing your doctor</li>\n <li>any changes to your medical condition or disability</li>\n <li>going into hospital or a care home or sheltered accommodation</li>\n <li>going abroad for any length of time</li>\n <li>changes to your immigration status, if you’re not a British citizen</li>\n</ul>\n\n<p>Call Jobcentre Plus if you’re not sure whether you need to report a change.</p>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Warning\" class=\"application-notice help-notice\">\n<p>You may be prosecuted or have to pay a £50 penalty if you give wrong or incomplete information.</p>\n</div>\n\n<h2 id=\"if-youve-been-paid-too-much\">If you’ve been paid too much</h2>\n\n<p>If you give wrong or incomplete information or do not report a change straight away, you might be paid too much. If you are, you might have to <a href=\"/benefit-overpayments/when-repayments-have-to-be-made\">pay some of the money back</a>.</p>\n\n<h2 id=\"how-to-report\">How to report</h2>\n\n<p>You can report a change of circumstances by:</p>\n\n<ul>\n <li>calling Jobcentre Plus</li>\n <li>writing to the Jobcentre Plus office that pays your <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr> - the address is on the letters you get about your <abbr title=\"Employment and Support Allowance\">ESA</abbr>\n</li>\n</ul>\n\n<div class=\"contact\">\n<h3 id=\"jobcentre-plus\">Jobcentre Plus</h3>\n<p>Telephone: 0800 169 0310<br>\nTextphone: 0800 169 0314<br>\n<a href=\"https://www.relayuk.bt.com\">Relay UK</a> (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310<br>\nBritish Sign Language (BSL) <a href=\"https://portal.starleaf.com/webrtc?name=DWP&target=DWP@interpreterslive.call.sl\">video relay service</a> if you’re on a computer - find out how to <a href=\"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZJc6OKmAUA\">use the service on mobile or tablet</a><br>\nWelsh language: 0800 328 1744<br>\nMonday to Friday, 8am to 5pm<br>\n<a href=\"https://www.gov.uk/call-charges\">Find out about call charges</a></p>\n</div>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>If you get Universal Credit at the same time as ‘new style’ ESA, you must also <a href=\"/sign-in-universal-credit\">report the changes of circumstances in your Universal Credit account</a>.</p>\n</div>\n\n<div role=\"note\" aria-label=\"Information\" class=\"application-notice info-notice\">\n<p>If you’re in Northern Ireland <a rel=\"external\" href=\"https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/employment-and-support-allowance-centre\">contact the ESA Centre</a>.</p>\n</div>\n\n" } } ] } </script> </body> </html>

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