Benefits advice and support

New Style ESA is a benefit which you may be entitled to claim if you are unable to work on the basis of being too unwell to work. It is administered by the DWP and claims are to be made using the specific claim form which you can access at https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim 

This particular benefit is payable regardless of any savings that you may have as it is solely based on your National Insurance Contributions which you have built up in work usually in the previous 2 tax years before you wish to claim. For example, if you wish to claim in the financial year 25/26, you would have had to have paid National Insurance in 23/25/22 and 24/25 to qualify. You can check your National Insurance Record online at https://www.gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record 

What happens Next? 

Once you complete the form, you will be required to obtain a fit note from your GP which will state the health condition and the length of time that you are unable to work. You will then take this along with the claim form in the Jobcentre.  

After this, providing you meet the conditions you will receive your first payment of £92.05 per week. This will happen for at least 13 weeks and you will need to keep submitting fit notes during this period. 

You will after around 13 weeks receive a medical questionnaire called an ESA50 which the DWP will send to you so that they can get an understanding of your health conditions and how these affect your ability to work. This would then be followed by a medical assessment called a Work Capability Assessment (see further factsheet linked below). 

Following the Work Capability Assessment you will be placed in one of three groups   

• You are fit for work – this means that your claim will end (unless you choose to appeal, in which case you can continue to receive ESA pending appeal on the basis that you continue to provide medical fit notes)   

• You have limited capability for work – you will have to engage in activities geared towards getting you back to work (e.g. preparing a CV and attending work focused interviews) This route is time limited for 365 days. You will receive no extra money for being placed in this group.    

• You have limited capability for work related activity – you are considered as being unable to engage in any work related activity and will not be expected to engage in any activity. There is no time limit imposed on this route of ESA.  You will receive an additional £48.50 per week. 

Interaction with other benefits? 

You cannot claim New Style with other ‘contributory benefits’ examples of these maybe Carers Allowance and the Retirement pension. However, in the case of carers Allowance, you may qualify for the underlying entitlement which may increase your awards of other benefits such as council tax support. 

You cannot claim SSP at the same time as ESA but may qualify once you have completed your 28 week statutory entitlement.  

Depending on your circumstances, you may also qualify for Universal Credit which can top up your income if you are on a low income. ESA in this instance will count as income and be deducted £1 for £1 against entitlement. 

Can I work whilst on ESA? 

Whilst you cannot work whilst you are in receipt of ESA, you maybe able to engage in ‘Permitted Work’. This scheme allows you to try out work up to 16 hours a week on the basis that your earnings do not exceed £195.50 per week. This is not time limited and will not affect any other benefits that you are currently receiving. You are required to inform ESA that you are doing this – https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment-and-support-allowance-permitted-work-form 

This advice is provided by our Benefits Advisor, Robert Mandelstam. The information provided above is up to date for the financial year ending 5th April 2026.