Employment and Support Allowance

Employment and support allowance (MT/C)

This benefit provides financial help to people who are unable to work because of their illness or disability. It also provides personalised support to those who are able to work.

There are two different types of Employment and Support Allowance - contributory-based and income-related (means-tested). People may get either or both depending on their national insurance contribution record and their income and savings.

The assessment phase

Employment and Support Allowance may be paid at a basic rate of up to £71 for the first 13 weeks of the claim. During this time, unless you are terminally ill, you may need to take part in a work capability assessment. This involves filling in and sending back a questionnaire about how your illness or disability affects your ability to complete everyday tasks.

Your doctor may also be asked to complete a report. This evidence will be considered by an approved healthcare professional who may recommend you attend a face-to-face assessment if more information is needed about your condition.

If the work capability assessment shows your illness or disability limits your ability to work, you’ll be placed into one of two groups: the support group or the work-related activity group.

The main phase

If you still qualify for Employment and Support Allowance after 13 weeks, you'll enter the main phase of the benefit. If your illness or disability has a severe effect on your ability to work, you’ll be placed in the support group and you won’t have to undertake work-related activities.

An additional payment of £34.05 will be paid to anyone in the support group.If your ability to work is limited, but not severely so, you’ll be placed in the work-related activity group, and you’ll have to attend six work-focused interviews. A smaller additional payment of £28.15 will be paid to anyone in this group.

Time-limits for Employment and Support Allowance

Under the Welfare Reform Act 2012|, the amount of time a person can receive contributory-based Employment and Support Allowance in the work-related activity group is limited to 12 months. After 12 months, the benefit will stop unless you claim and qualify for income-related Employment and Support Allowance or you request to be placed in and are accepted for the support group. If you think this may affect you, please speak to a welfare rights adviser as soon as possible.

Self-employed people

If you are self-employed, you’re entitled to claim Employment and Support Allowance as long as you've paid the correct level of national insurance contributions.

Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to get more money if you qualify for income-related Employment and Support Allowance. People who haven’t paid the relevant national insurance contributions may also qualify for Employment and Support Allowance under the income-related route.

How can I claim?

Call Jobcentre Plus on 0800 055 6688, textphone 0800 023 4888, or apply online| or download an application form| from the Direct.gov| website.

In Northern Ireland

You can contact an adviser on 0800 085 6318 or textphone 0800 328 3419 and they will go through the forms with you. You can also download an application form from the nidirect website|.