Benefits - Employment Support Allowance
What is it?
Employment Support Allowance replaces Incapacity Benefit and
Income Support paid because of an illness or disability for new
claimants from 27/10/08. There are two types of Employment
and Support Allowance:
- Contribution-based, which depends on National Insurance
contributions paid.
- Income-based, which is paid to people, who have not paid enough
National Insurance contributions and have low income.
Who is eligible?
You may be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance, if any
of the following apply to you:
- Your Statutory Sick pay has ended or you are not entitled
- You are self-employed or unemployed
- You have been getting Statutory Maternity Pay and have not
returned to work
- because you are incapable of work.
- You are under State Pension Age
You must either:
- Have had an illness or disability which affects your ability to
work for at least four days in a row.
- Unable to work for two or more days out of seven consecutive
days.
- Getting special medical treatment.
If you are aged between 16 and 20 (or 25 if you were in
education or training at least 3 months immediately before turning
20) you must:
- Have been too ill to work because of an illness or disability
for at least 28 weeks (this limitation applies to
contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance, but you may
still be eligible for income-based Employment and Support
Allowance).
- Have been too ill to work before you turned 20 (or 25 if you
were in education or training at least 3 months immediately before
turning 20)
How much will I get?
The amount of Employment and Support Allowance paid depends on
individual circumstances. Several things are considered, such
as the effect your disability has on your ability to do any
work.
A weekly rate during the assessment phase is paid for the first
13 weeks, while a decision is made on your capability for work
through the Work Capability Assessment.
- Single person: aged under 25 £51.85, aged 25+ £65.45
A weekly rate during the main phase is paid from week 14, if the
Work
Capability Assessment shows that your illness or disability does
limit your
ability to work.
- Single person in the Work Related Activity Group, up to
£91.40
- Single person in the Support Group, up to £96.85
How do I apply?
A claim pack can be obtained from:
- By ringing the Jobcentreplus on 0800 055 66 88
- Online at the Department for
Work and Pensions
-
Online at Directgov
For more information on Employment and Support Allowance please
visit Department for Work and Pensions,
Directgov or Citizens Advice
Bureau