The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a warning that individuals could be missing out on substantial financial aid. The DWP provides employment and support allowance (ESA) to roughly 1.7 million people throughout the UK.
This benefit is designed to assist with additional expenses if you have a disability or health condition that restricts your ability to work. You can apply for ‘new-style’ ESA if you are below state pension age, have a disability or health condition that impacts your ability to work, and have been employed or self-employed and made adequate National Insurance contributions typically in the last two to three years.
New-style ESA cannot be claimed alongside jobseeker’s allowance or statutory sick pay, but it can be claimed concurrently with universal credit. However, if you receive both benefits, your universal credit payment will be reduced by the amount you get for new-style ESA.
A range of conditions could make you eligible for ESA. Here is everything you need to know about ESA including how much you could receive, which health conditions qualify, and how to claim the money, reports Wales Online.
How do I apply for ESA and which conditions qualify?
You can submit your application for ESA online here or by calling 0800 055 6688. The following information will be required for the application:
- 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 do not have one)
- your doctor’s name, address, and telephone number
- a fit note (sometimes called a ‘sick note’ or a ‘statement of fitness for work’) 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’ll be informed via phone about when and where to provide the necessary evidence. During the assessment of your claim, which typically lasts 13 weeks, you’ll usually receive the ‘assessment rate’:
- up to £67.20 a week if you’re aged under 25
- up to £84.80 a week if you’re aged 25 or over
If the evaluation of your claim extends beyond 13 weeks, you’ll continue to get the ‘assessment rate’ until a decision is reached or your ESA expires. Once assessed, if you’re eligible for ESA, you’ll be classified into one of two groups.
If there’s a possibility of future work, you’ll be put in the work-related activity group. Otherwise, you’ll be allocated to the support group:
- up to £84.80 a week if you’re in the work-related activity group
- up to £129.50 a week if you’re in the support group
ESA payments are made every two weeks. For example, if you’re in the support group, this amounts to £518 per month.
If you’re in the support group and receive income-related ESA, you may also qualify for the enhanced disability premium. You could also be eligible for the severe disability premium.
These are extra amounts added to your ESA.
Which medical conditions qualify for ESA?
According to DWP data, there are 23 categories of medical conditions that could potentially make you eligible for ESA.
These include: