What is New Style ESA and who may be eligible?
New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is a benefit for people whose health condition or disability limits their ability to work. It is a contribution-based benefit, meaning eligibility depends on your National Insurance record rather than your savings or partner's income. You typically need to have paid sufficient National Insurance contributions in the 2 to 3 tax years before your claim. You may be eligible if you are aged 16 or over and under State Pension age, have a health condition or disability that affects your ability to work, are not currently working (or work fewer than 16 hours per week), and have paid enough National Insurance contributions. You do not need to have been employed recently — contributions from previous years may qualify you. New Style ESA can be claimed alongside Universal Credit. While the ESA payment itself may reduce your Universal Credit, there are advantages to having both: ESA provides Class 1 National Insurance credits (protecting your State Pension entitlement), and having both claims ensures you are covered by contribution-based and income-based systems. Many people claim both simultaneously.
Step 1: Get a fit note and apply
Before claiming ESA, you will need a fit note (previously called a "sick note") from your GP or hospital doctor. The fit note confirms that your health condition affects your ability to work. If you have been off work for more than 7 days, your employer may have already asked you to obtain one. To claim New Style ESA, call the ESA helpline on 0800 055 6688 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) or apply online at GOV.UK. You will need your National Insurance number, bank account details, GP details, and information about your health condition and any medications. The application usually takes around 20 to 30 minutes. Your claim date is usually the date you call or submit the online form — not the date your fit note starts. If you have been unwell for some time, it is worth claiming as soon as possible. You will need to continue providing fit notes to cover the period of your claim until a Work Capability Assessment decision is made.
Step 2: The Work Capability Assessment
After you claim ESA, you will be referred for a Work Capability Assessment (WCA). This assessment determines whether your health condition limits your ability to work and, if so, which group you are placed in. The assessment is usually carried out by a healthcare professional at an assessment centre, though telephone and home assessments are available. Before the assessment, you will be asked to complete an ESA50 questionnaire — a detailed form about how your condition affects your ability to carry out work-related activities. This includes physical activities (such as standing, sitting, walking, reaching, and lifting) and mental and cognitive activities (such as learning tasks, coping with change, initiating actions, and managing social situations). Describe your difficulties on your worst days, including specific examples, frequency, and consequences. Based on the WCA, you will be placed in one of two groups. The Support Group is for people whose condition means they are not expected to take steps towards returning to work. The Work-Related Activity Group (WRAG) is for people who may be able to work in the future with appropriate support. Those in the Support Group receive a higher rate of ESA (up to £86.20 per week, compared to up to £84.80 for WRAG). If the WCA finds you capable of work, your ESA claim will end — though you have the right to challenge this decision.
Understanding ESA payments and permitted work
During the initial 13-week "assessment phase" (while waiting for your WCA), ESA is paid at a basic rate of up to £84.80 per week. After the WCA, if you are placed in either the Support Group or WRAG, your payment continues at the applicable rate. New Style ESA is payable for up to 365 days if you are in the WRAG, but is paid indefinitely if you are in the Support Group. If you want to try some work while receiving ESA, you can do "permitted work." This allows you to earn up to £183 per week for up to 52 weeks without affecting your ESA. Alternatively, you can do "supported permitted work" (work supervised by a public or local authority body) with no time limit. Permitted work must be less than 16 hours per week. If your ESA claim is not successful or you are placed in a group you disagree with, you have the right to request a Mandatory Reconsideration within 1 month of the decision. Around 25% of reconsiderations result in a changed decision. If the reconsideration is not successful, you can appeal to an independent tribunal — around 60% of ESA appeals are successful. Free advice on challenging ESA decisions is available from Citizens Advice and local welfare rights services.
Related Benefit Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I claim ESA and Universal Credit at the same time?
What is the difference between the Support Group and WRAG?
Do I need a fit note the entire time I receive ESA?
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