New Style ESA, explained

Savings and your partner's income do not affect New Style ESA. It is based on your National Insurance record.

Who can get it — the full rules

You also need to have both:

• worked as an employee or have been self-employed
• paid enough National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years - National Insurance credits also count

You cannot get New Style ESA if you claim Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or Statutory Sick Pay

You can apply for New Style ESA up to 3 months before your SSP ends. You’ll start getting New Style ESA as soon as your SSP ends.

How much you get

You’ll normally get the ‘assessment rate’ for 13 weeks while your claim is being assessed.

• up to £75.65 a week if you’re aged under 25
• up to £95.55 a week if you’re aged 25 or over

You’ll be placed into one of 2 groups if you’re entitled to ESA.

• up to £95.55 a week if you’re in the work-related activity group
• up to £145.90 a week if you’re in the support group

New Style and contribution-based ESA last for 365 days if you’re in the work-related activity group.

With Universal Credit

You might be able to get Universal Credit at the same time or instead of New Style ESA.

If you get both benefits, your Universal Credit payment is reduced by the amount you get for New Style ESA.

Working while you claim

You can usually work while you are claiming ESA if both of the following apply:

• you work less than 16 hours a week
• you do not earn more than £203.50 a week

You can do as many hours of voluntary work as you like.

Private pensions

Your payments will be affected if you get more than £85 a week from a private pension. If you do, half of your private pension income over £85 will be subtracted from your ESA payments each week.

Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland has its own ESA: see ESA in Northern Ireland.

Common questions

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