A Guide to Employment and Support Allowance
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - Guide for 2026/27
Financial support if you cannot work because of illness or disability - updated rates and eligibility for April 2026 to April 2027.
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) provides financial support if you have difficulty working because of illness or disability. The amount you receive depends on your circumstances and which group you are placed in after your Work Capability Assessment. Most people now claim New Style ESA, based on National Insurance contributions.
If you have never worked or lack enough NI contributions, claim Universal Credit instead of ESA. You may be able to claim both - your UC payment will be reduced by the amount of ESA you receive.
Income-related ESA is closed to new claims. The move of existing income-related ESA claimants to Universal Credit is now almost complete. If you believe you are still receiving income-related ESA and are unsure what this means for you, contact the DWP for advice.
Who Can Claim New Style ESA?
- You are under State Pension age
- You have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work
- You have paid or been credited with enough National Insurance contributions in the last two to three years
- You are not getting Jobseeker's Allowance or Statutory Sick Pay
National Insurance Requirements
New Style ESA normally looks at National Insurance contributions paid or credited in the 2 full tax years before the year you are claiming in. National Insurance credits can also count. Check your record at GOV.UK and apply even if you are unsure - the DWP will confirm whether you meet the contribution conditions.
Can You Work and Claim ESA?
You may be able to do some permitted work while claiming ESA, but there are earnings and hours limits. Speak to your work coach before starting any work to confirm the current thresholds.
ESA Rates 2026/27
Assessment Phase (First 13 Weeks)
| Age | Weekly amount |
|---|---|
| Under 25 | £75.65 |
| 25 or over | £95.55 |
Delays are common. Many assessments take longer than 13 weeks. You continue receiving the assessment rate until a decision is made, and any money owed is backdated.
Main Phase Rates
| Group | What it means | Weekly amount (25+) |
|---|---|---|
| Work-Related Activity Group (WRAG) | Cannot work now but may be able to in future with support | £95.55 |
| Support Group | Condition severely limits ability to work - not expected to work | £145.90 |
WRAG time limit: New Style ESA in the Work-Related Activity Group stops after 12 months (365 days). Support Group has no time limit.
Pensions and ESA
If you receive a private or occupational pension of more than £85 per week, your ESA will be reduced by half the amount over that threshold. Your State Pension does not count. Even if your pension reduces ESA to zero, you still receive NI credits counting towards your State Pension.
The Work Capability Assessment
The WCA determines whether you have limited capability for work and which group you are placed in. It assesses how your condition affects daily life across 17 activities, not just your diagnosis.
Stage 1 - The WCA50 Questionnaire
You will usually be sent the WCA50 (Capability for Work Questionnaire) within 4 weeks of your first payment. Tips for completing it:
- Describe your worst days - not your average or best days
- Think about reliability - can you do the activity safely, repeatedly, in reasonable time?
- Include mental health effects - anxiety, depression and cognitive difficulties all count
- Mention medication side effects - drowsiness, confusion or other effects belong in the form
- Be specific - "I can walk 20 metres before stopping due to severe pain" is stronger than "I have difficulty walking"
- Include supporting evidence - consultant letters, care plans, prescription lists
Stage 2 - The Medical Assessment
Not everyone needs an appointment. If there is enough evidence to assess you without one, a decision may be made on the papers. If you do need an assessment, it can be in person, by video call or on the phone. You can have someone with you for support. Since 29 June 2026, telephone and face-to-face health assessments are audio recorded as standard unless you choose to opt out.
Stage 3 - The Decision
You need to score 15 points or more across the 17 assessed activities to qualify. Meeting certain specific criteria places you in the Support Group regardless of total points. A DWP decision maker reviews all the evidence and decides both whether you qualify and which group you are in.
Work-Related Activity Group
You must attend regular interviews, take part in agreed activities (CV writing, training, skills development), and prepare for a return to work. Missing appointments without good reason can result in sanctions lasting up to four weeks.
Support Group
No work-focused interviews, no work-related activities required (you can volunteer to do them), no sanctions possible, and no time limit on ESA. The Support Group rate of £145.90/week is substantially higher and reduces financial pressure significantly.
How to Apply
Have ready: National Insurance number, bank account details, doctor's details, employment history, and any pension details.
Online: gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim
By phone (if you cannot apply online, or you are applying as an appointee): 0800 055 6688 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm) / Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 055 6688
Claiming before Statutory Sick Pay ends: You can start your ESA claim up to three months before SSP ends so payments begin immediately with no gap in income.
Fit notes: You do not need one for the first seven days. After that, provide them regularly. A fit note can be issued by a GP or hospital doctor, or by another registered healthcare professional such as a nurse, occupational therapist, pharmacist or physiotherapist.
ESA and Universal Credit
You can claim New Style ESA and Universal Credit at the same time if you are eligible for both. Your Universal Credit is reduced by the amount of New Style ESA you receive. New Style ESA is normally paid every two weeks and provides Class 1 National Insurance credits. If you claim both, you only need one Work Capability Assessment.
Universal Credit health element from 6 April 2026: If you report a health condition or disability on or after 6 April 2026 and are later found to have Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA), the lower LCWRA amount is £217.26 a month unless you qualify for the higher rate. The higher rate is £429.80 a month for protected pre-6 April 2026 claimants and certain people with severe, lifelong conditions or who are nearing the end of life.
Other Benefits to Claim Alongside ESA
- PIP or another relevant disability benefit - may help with the extra costs of disability and is separate from New Style ESA. In Scotland, working-age disability support is generally provided through Adult Disability Payment rather than PIP.
- Universal Credit housing costs element - may help with rent depending on your circumstances. Housing Benefit can still apply in certain cases, including some supported, sheltered or temporary accommodation
- Child Benefit and child elements of UC - claimable alongside ESA if you have children
- Christmas Bonus - a £10 payment if you are receiving a qualifying benefit during the qualifying week. Contribution-based/New Style ESA qualifies once you have entered the main phase after the first 13 weeks
Carer's Allowance: Carer's Allowance overlaps with some other benefits, so you may not be paid both it and ESA in full. If you also receive Universal Credit, Carer's Allowance is deducted from UC pound-for-pound. You may qualify for the UC carer element whether or not you receive Carer's Allowance, but if you are also entitled to an LCW or LCWRA amount, you will not normally receive both extra amounts - you will receive the higher one. Different rules can apply to couples. Use a benefits calculator or get advice before claiming.
Changes You Must Report
- Changes to your health condition (better or worse)
- Going into hospital or a care home
- Starting work or increasing hours
- Starting an educational or training course
- Going abroad for any length of time
- Starting to receive a pension
- Changes to address, bank details or contact number
Keep sending fit notes. If you stop, your ESA will be stopped. Reassessments happen periodically - frequency depends on your condition. Those with severe, lifelong conditions unlikely to improve may not be reassessed.
If Your Claim Is Refused or You Disagree
Mandatory Reconsideration
Request this within one month of the date on your decision letter. You can contact the New Style ESA helpline on 0800 169 0310 or write to the address on your decision letter. Explain why you think the decision is wrong and include any relevant supporting evidence. A different DWP decision maker will review the decision.
Appeal to a Tribunal
If mandatory reconsideration still goes against you, you can appeal to an independent tribunal, normally within one month of the mandatory reconsideration notice. Free support may be available from Citizens Advice, local welfare rights advisers and Disability Rights UK.
Looking Ahead - Proposed Changes to the WCA and ESA
The government has announced plans to abolish the Work Capability Assessment (WCA), but no implementation date has yet been confirmed. Because the proposed reforms are linked to wider disability-benefit reform, WCA abolition will not take place until after the Timms Review of Personal Independence Payment has reported.
The government has also proposed reforming New Style ESA and New Style JSA into a new, non-means-tested and time-limited contributory benefit provisionally called Unemployment Insurance. These proposals are not yet in force. Current WCA and New Style ESA rules continue to apply unless and until legislation changes them.
Common Questions
Can I claim ESA if I have never worked?
No. New Style ESA requires National Insurance contributions. Claim Universal Credit instead.
Can I claim ESA if I am self-employed?
Yes, if you have paid enough NI contributions from self-employment. The process is the same.
What happens after 12 months in the WRAG?
New Style ESA stops after 365 days in the WRAG. You may be able to claim Universal Credit depending on your household income and savings.
Can I volunteer while claiming ESA?
Yes. Genuine voluntary work for a charity, receiving only reasonable expenses, does not affect ESA. Tell your work coach about any volunteering.
Can I go on holiday while claiming ESA?
You can usually continue receiving ESA for up to 4 weeks during a temporary trip abroad, but you should tell the DWP about travel abroad. In some circumstances, contribution-based ESA can continue for up to 26 weeks if you are abroad for medical treatment for yourself or your child.
Will ESA affect my State Pension?
No. ESA provides NI credits that count towards your State Pension, protecting your entitlement while you cannot work.
What if my condition gets worse after being placed in the WRAG?
Contact the DWP and ask for another Work Capability Assessment with updated medical evidence. You may be moved to the Support Group.
Is ESA taxable?
New Style ESA is taxable income. However, whether you actually have Income Tax to pay depends on your total taxable income and your tax-free allowances. For example, other taxable income such as a pension could mean you have tax to pay.
Key Contacts and Resources
New Style ESA existing claims helpline: 0800 169 0310 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm)
Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 169 0310
New claims helpline (if you cannot apply online): 0800 055 6688 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm)
Citizens Advice: citizensadvice.org.uk or 0800 144 8848
Disability Rights UK: disabilityrightsuk.org
Turn2us benefits calculator: turn2us.org.uk
GOV.UK ESA: gov.uk/employment-support-allowance
Check your NI record: gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record
If you think a decision is wrong, you have the right to challenge it. Ask for a mandatory reconsideration first and, if necessary, appeal to an independent tribunal. Citizens Advice or a welfare rights adviser may be able to help.
This guide is for information only and was checked against current GOV.UK guidance in September 2026. Benefit rules are complex and individual circumstances vary. For personalised advice contact Citizens Advice, Disability Rights UK, or a welfare rights adviser. Rates shown apply from April 2026 to April 2027. This guide covers Great Britain; Northern Ireland has separate ESA administration and contact details.
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