Advice | 92 Comments |
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is dealt with by Job Centre Plus.
Update March 2023
The High Court has ruled in favour of claimant, Michael Connor, who is also a law graduate, declaring the mandatory reconsideration process unlawful with regard to ESA.
Connor was obliged to wait 18 weeks by the DWP whilst they carried out a mandatory reconsideration of his ESA decision. During this time he had no right to claim ESA at a rate paid to claimants once they have successfully lodged their appeal.
The court found that forcing a claimant to wait until until an appeal is lodged to be able to receive ESA again was in breach of their right to a fair trial. Grassroots support organisation Benefits and Work supported the action. (external link will open in a new browser window)
Click the links below for more information about ESA.
What is the Work Capability Assessment (WCA)?
How to challenge the result of your WCA
What is Employment and Support Allowance?
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is a benefit you can apply for if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work.
You can also apply for ESA if you cannot work while you are self-isolating because of coronavirus (COVID-19).
ESA gives you:
• money to help with living costs if you’re unable to work
• support to get back into work if you’re able to
Most new claims are for ‘new style’ ESA.
To be eligible, you need to have
• worked as an employee or been self-employed AND
• 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:
• get the severe disability premium, or are entitled to it
• got or were entitled to the severe disability premium in the last month, and you’re still eligible for it
• if you’re getting Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) from an employer.
You can apply for ‘new style’ ESA up to 3 months before your SSP ends. You will start getting it when your SSP ends.
Can you apply?
• You can apply for ESA whether you are employed, self-employed or unemployed.
• If you have an illness or disability that affects your ability to work, and you are over 16 and under State Pension age
• If you work for an employer but cannot get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP), or your Statutory Sick Pay has now stopped
• If you get Incapacity Benefit or Severe Disablement Allowance you might be moved to ESA. You will be told what you need to do and how much ESA you’ll get.
How much is it?
The amount of benefit you will be paid varies.
Initially, you will get the assessment phase rate for 13 weeks while your ability to work is being assessed.
After that, factors such as your age and whether you’re able to get back into work will affect the rate at which you’re paid.
If you get ‘new style’ ESA, you will earn Class 1 National Insurance credits, which can help towards your State Pension and some benefits in the future.
Neither your or your partner’s savings or income will affect how much ‘new style’ ESA or contribution-based ESA you are paid. But a private pension worth more than £85 per week may have an effect.
If you get income-related ESA, your household income and savings worth £6,000 or more may affect how much you can get.
Assessment phase rates:
• up to £67.20 a week if you are under 25
• up to £84.80 a week if you’re aged 25 or over
If it takes longer than 13 weeks to assess your claim, you will continue getting the ‘assessment rate’ until you get a decision. Your ESA will be backdated if you’re owed any money after 13 weeks.
After you have been assessed
Following the Work Capability Assessment (WCA), if you are deemed to be entitled to ESA, you will be put into one of two groups:
If you are expected to get back into work in the future, you’ll be put into the work-related activity group. If not, you will be in the support group.
You will get:
• up to £84.80 a week if you’re in the work-related activity group
• up to £129.50 a week if you’re in the support group
If you are in the support group and on income-related ESA, you are also entitled to the enhanced disability premium:
• £19.55 a week for a single person
• £27.90 a week for a couple if at least one of you is eligible
You may also qualify for the severe disability premium:
• £76.40 a week for a single person
• £152.80 a week for a couple if you’re both eligible
(Some couples are eligible for the lower amount of £76.40 a week instead)
ESA is paid every two weeks. All benefits are paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.
What is expected of you?
• Work Related Activity Group
You will be expected to take part in work focused interviews with your personal adviser, and will have access to a range of support to help you prepare for suitable work.
If you refuse to take part in work focused interviews, it may affect your benefit.
• Support Group
If you are placed in the support group because your illness or disability has a severe effect on your ability to work, you will not be expected to take part in any work related activity, but you can do so on a voluntary basis if you want to.
How to claim ‘new style’ ESA
Claim Employment and Support Allowance online (external link will open in a new browser window).
You will need some information to hand:
• your National Insurance number
• your bank or building society account number and sort code (you can use a friend or family member’s account if you do not have one)
• your doctor’s name, address and telephone number
• details of your income if you’re working
• the date your Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) ends if you’re claiming it
Claiming income-related and contribution-based ESA
Most people cannot make new claims for income-related and contribution-based ESA anymore. If you are applying for this, you should call Jobcentre Plus to apply by phone:
Telephone: 0800 169 0350
Textphone: 0800 023 4888
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0350
Welsh language telephone: 0800 012 1888
Phone lines are open from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
You can usually work for up to 16 hours a week while you are claiming ESA, earning up to £167 per week.
You must tell the DWP about any work you are doing when you apply.
You can do more than 16 hours work a week if it is either voluntary or ‘supported permitted work’.
Supported permitted work is:
• supervised by someone from a local council or voluntary organisation who arranges work for disabled people
• part of a treatment programme under medical supervision
You can still only earn £167 a week
What is the Work Capability Assessment?
When you make a claim for Employment and Support Allowance, you will usually have a Work Capability Assessment. As part of this, a healthcare professional who has been approved by the Department for Work and Pensions may recommend that you attend a medical assessment. You may also be asked to take part in a Work Focused Health Related Assessment.
The medical assessment will involve an interview and sometimes a physical examination, if the approved healthcare professional feels one is needed.
After your medical assessment the healthcare professional may complete a Work Focused Health Related assessment. During this you will be asked about how you feel your illness or disability is stopping you working and what help you need to start work.
After assessment, if you are in the work related activity group, you will regularly see your personal adviser to discuss your work prospects.
They will give you help and advice with:
• your job goals
• your skills, strengths and abilities
• steps you can take to help find suitable work
• your ideas, problems and any other work related issues you want to talk about
If you disagree with the Work Capability Assessment
As well as an assessment for every new claim, existing claimants of disability benefits are gradually being assessed (and will be regularly reassessed in the future) to see whether they are in fact able to work.
The computerised assessment has come in for a lot of criticism, and currently, at least four out of ten appeals against the original assessment of fitness to work are successful. So if you find yourself judged fit to work, and you believe that decision to be incorrect, it is worth taking it to appeal.
Before you can appeal, the first step is to ask for a ‘mandatory reconsideration’. There is a time limit of one month from receiving the decision to ask for this. You must write to the address on the letter about your assessment, and give your reasons why you think it should be reconsidered.
If the mandatory reconsideration is unsuccessful, the next step is to appeal to the tribunal. People with proper representation at the tribunal are much more likely to succeed, so make sure that you have the support you need. Your local Citizens Advice Bureau should be able to advise you on this (external link will open in a new browser window).
You can download the form you need, SSCS1, to start the appeals procedure from the Department of Justice website (external link will open in a new browser window).
Article ends – click to return to top or check out related resources below
Further reading and resources
You can find out more about other disability-related benefits here
Find out about the cost of living support package
Procedures around fit notes have changed – find out more here
return to top
92 Replies to “Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)”
Leave a Comment or Ask a Question:
You are providing your name and email address to Independent Living, so that we can communicate with you, if necessary, about your comment. Your privacy is very important, so please note that we won’t contact you for any other purpose, and your details will not be shared with any third party.
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Hi I’ve been off work since January 23 when I fell and got an fractured ankle in two places which required surgery to which a plate was fitted , I now require physio which I receive , my sick pay ran out in July I got all paperwork off work including a email off manager to say I couldn’t return as cook as yet as it would be to much of a risk so I applied for new style ESA in September have had a letter off them saying it is going to be actioned , how long does this take before you receive payment , kind regards Susan.
Hello Susan
It usually takes a few weeks to get your payment. They do backdate it, for up to 3 months, but don’t pay anything for the first seven days of the period you’re applying for.
Best wishes,
Frances
I am so stressed after working 25yrs and suddenly required life saving surgery on life support for over three months due to undetected bowel perforation needing stoma bag and numerous other medical issues eventually receiving ESA with disability premiums and high rates for both of PIP. My neighbour has been assisting me and became my Caregiver and changed from JSA on UC to care requesting she not make claim as I am paying her, now due to my ESA reduced nearly hundred pounds a week and she get’s nearly hundred and ninety monthly when I have over double less. How is this correct as assure you that I’d rather be able to work?? I’m not coping before this having to make up rent shortfall for three hundred monthly before bills. Am I able to pay her directly from my money or do I have any other options?? I’m lost with the benefit system as always worked, any advice would be greatly appreciated
Hello Jane
I’m afraid we aren’t able to give individual advice about your benefits. I recommend that you use an online checker to make sure you are claiming everything you’re entitled to – there’s a good one here: https://www.entitledto.co.uk (external link will open in a new browser tab or window).
And your local Citizens Advice should be able to help with your particular situation.
Best wishes, Frances
Hello
My husband and I were refused UC on the basis that we had £16,000 plus in savings. We do not. We do have a property which is substandard and unable to sell or live in due to a rogue builder swiping all available funds to finish this property.
I have applied for ESA and PIP. Both successful but received no letter for PIP just a test. PIP sent a payment but only for 6 weeks not the 20 weeks I have been waiting to hear! My next payment is nowhere near what backdated payment should be.
Is ESA paid 3 months before the date I applied? And as the assessment rate has been paid for 13 weeks do they minus money from the new support payment and backdate payments for that? I.e. new support payment is 129.50 and assessment is £84.30 so backdated payment is 45.20 x 18 weeks (assessment rate ended after 18 weeks) ? 813.60? Extra payment of 159. Was given and next payment is £259.00 in 2 weeks. Is this correct?
Thank you
Hello, I receive ESA and I’m in the support group since my ssp finished from my previous employer in April 2022. In March 2023 my employers terminated my employment contract on grounds of ill health, therefore they have now only just paid my holiday pay owed from the time I had my sickness absence. How does this pay affect my esa?
I have been getting esa now for over 10 years so it’s the old style esa..
How do I find out how it was paid because I am sure it was one week advance and one week arrears
Hello Delly
Normally, ESA is paid in arrears.
Best wishes, Frances
I took ill health retirement in 2013. Due to having an occupational pension, I assumed that I wasn’t eligible for any benefits. Now that I will be state pension age in August of this year, I am trying to address the shortfall in my state pension due to retiring early and my company pension haven been ‘opted-out’.
I now understand that I would have been eligible for Employment Support Allowance with £0 benefit BUT with National Insurance Credits. I was 6 years short of NI contributions to obtain full pension even though I had 40 years of contributions. So far, I’ve already ‘bought-back’ 3 years. Now I wish to understand if I should apply for New-style ESA and if that would gain me any NI Credits at all? Given my age, the 2022-23 tax year is the last year that I can make NI contributions. Can I claim back past years or would I only receive credit for the last 3 months?
Hello Charles
You can only apply for new-style ESA if you have paid NI contributions in the previous two years, I’m afraid. The 2022-23 tax year is just about over (on April 5th), so if that is the last one in which you could make contributions, it’s really too late.
I suggest that you get some individual advice about your pension situation – it isn’t something that we can do, unfortunately. You can also use an online benefit calculator to make sure that you are claiming everything you’re entitled to: https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk (external link will open in a new browser tab or window)
Best wishes, Frances
I have paid NI for 2019 to 2022, the last two years at voluntary class 2 as self employed less than 16 hours per week. 2019-2020 was a mix of full rate buy back and class 2.
Hi, I could do with some advice please I have been awarded limited capability for work. On my letter it says I may be entitled to extra money and do not have to look for work but have to still attend meetings occasionally and maybe do things to possibly return to work in the future which is all OK but then my work coach messaged and said that I will be able to do some jobs and thats the part that confused me as I’m being told 2 different things.
Hello Elisha
I’m sorry to hear that you’re getting mixed messages – that’s not very helpful. I would ask your work coach to clarify the situation. Show them the letter you have received and ask how their suggestion fits in with that.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hi, I could do with some advice please. I’m currently on universal credit and filled in the form (think it’s called a 50 something) in October and had my assessment in December still currently waiting to hear the outcome. I haven’t recieved any extra money or anything whilst in this waiting period I’m assuming this is normal and you don’t recieve any money till you know the outcome?
Hello Elisha
Yes, that is correct – you won’t get any extra money until they have decided what your capacity for work is and therefore how much benefit you should receive.
Best wishes,
Frances
Thank you I did think that was the case hopefully I hear something back soon as its been over 8 weeks now.
So I have made an esa claim around a month ago, but a month before that I had left work on the sick and was given an ssp1 form to give to the department for work and pensions as they are not able to pay me sick pay. My question is once my claim is up and running and I am receiving the assessment rate, will I also be back paid from when I went on the sick and wasn’t eligible for sick pay?
Hi Dwayne
ESA can be backdated for up to 3 months, as long as you can show you were unable to work due to sickness. You wouldn’t receive any money for the first seven days, but you should after that.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hello there,
I have had an ESA claim running from 04/11/22 until present. I was notified by letter received on 21/01/23 a work capability form had been sent out to me during December 2022 and this had not been sent back. I had chased this with the jobcentre at start of January and I was informed if the form was not received by end of January to make contact again for this to be chased up.
I have been told a new form is being sent out for me to complete. I also highlighted the letter received informing me of not returning a form I never received had the incorrect address with my postcode.
The work coach is aware due to my disabilities and complex health I have always wanted to get back to work, but for this to happen it needed to be the right job with the support and reasonable adjustments in place. I have been successful in obtaining a job to start at end of February 2023. So my question is now I have given the background to this situation would I still need to complete the form when received considering I know I will be returning to work and have shown I am capable of doing a job. As in theory have I not already done the assessors job in terms of outcome capable of work? I wouldn’t need an assessment if I coming off the ESA for starting the new role and it would be I feel a pointless exercise with working soon? Are you able to give me any thoughts/guidance on this kind of situation please?
I’m afraid I have no idea, Rhys. It’s great news that you have obtained a job, which was your aim, and also a bit ridiculous that the assessment process has taken so long that you probably won’t complete it before you start work!
Your work coach should really be able to advise you about this – it’s their job to understand how the system works.
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
I have worked full time since leaving school and the last 5 years I have worked part time and get carers allowance, I have decided to leave my current job to find a more suitable one to work around childcare.
I applied for new style job seekers and my claim was rejected saying I have not paid enough Class 1 credits, I spoke with HMRC who confirm that I have been getting credits via carers allowance and they asked that I contact JSA and get them to send a benefit involved file, JSA have told me they do not know what this is and I am not entitled to JSA and carers allowance at the same time. Can you please advice where to go next and if you have any knowledge of a benefit involved file?
Thanks
Hello Shelly
If Carer’s Allowance is either the same as or less than JSA, then you just get the jobseekers allowance. If Carer’s Allowance is more than JSA, you will get the JSA plus some Carer’s Allowance to top it up.
HMRC is correct that you automatically get carer’s credit to fill in your National Insurance contributions if you are receiving carer’s allowance.
I’m afraid I don’t know anything about a benefit involved file – sorry.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hi, my husband gets an ESA benefit, I would like to start a part-time job, but just I want to know if I am working part-time does affect my husband’s benefit or not. if affect it how much is reduced?
Hello Farida
If your husband is receiving new style ESA, your earnings won’t affect his benefit at all.
But if it is income-related ESA, then it will be reduced by whatever amount you earn, minus £20. So if you earn £100 per week, your husband’s ESA would be reduced by £80.
Best wishes,
Frances
I’m confused to hell me put in for esa took from July to Feb before made a decision put me in a support group when came to backdating me only backdated 3month, not 6 when questioned said was grace period however theirs nothing about this i can find, does that mean the dwp have fobbed me yet again like have done for years!!!
Hello
Unfortunately, for the first three months, you just receive the assessment rate. So even if you are eventually put in the support group, where you receive more money, it isn’t backdated to when you applied, but to 13 weeks after that.
Not great, but I’m afraid that’s the situation.
Best wishes,
Frances
I an in support group fir income based esa. I have a private pension I can take which is, lump sum £5000, and weekly payment of £39. Will all this be deducted from my benefit? Do I keep lump sum and get weekly amount deducted? Or do I keep whole amount because it is under £85. I’m confused
Hello Deborah
Your household savings and income are taken into account when assessing how much income-related ESA you get. Any savings over £6000 in total will affect the amount.
You can use a benefits calculator to see what effect your lump sum and weekly payments might have: https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators (external link will open in a new browser tab or window)
Best wishes, Frances
Hi I was wondering if you could help me please I first made a claim for esa way back in September of last year I did not get an appointment for work capability assessment until June of this year which was cancelled four times I finally completed my assesment about three weeks ago I assume I’ve been receiving assessment rate esa since I made my claim last year I’m not sure all I know is I have been receiving the same amount of money that i was receiving when i first went on universal credit in 2020 about £75 a week if I’m eventually put into the support group will the extra money I should have been receiving be backdated from when I made the claim last year or from the date I successfully completed my assessment? Any advice would be appreciated
Hello Daniel
Your eventual ESA award should be backdated to 13 weeks after you first applied (everybody is put on the assessment rate for the first 13 weeks).
Best wishes,
Frances
Hi there I recieve esa and pip and my son who lives with me is about to start full-time work. I already have had some of my esa reduced due to the fact he lives with me. I realise housing benefit will be reduced but can it affect my esa n pip further Mamy thanks and kindest regards Amanda
Hello Amanda
PIP is not a means tested benefit, so there shouldn’t be any difference with that. If you are getting income-related ESA, the amount you get does vary according to household income and and savings over £6000. But if you’re getting new style ESA, it shouldn’t be affected by household income.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hello I’ve been on contribution ESA sinse 2015! I had no choice to go to uc in 2021 as I moved from supported housing YMCA to my own 1 bedroom flat. I claim pip uc and I have a career element at £0 for my son I have ADHD and manic depression and chronic anxiety disorder I’m on so much medication I’m a walking pharmacy literally. I’m 32 years old and constantly been homeless over last 11 years in and out of supported housing etc. Any way uc I still have the old-style ESA contribution since 2015! I receive the uc standard allowance and there LCWRA group and they deduct my ESA contribution (not means tested) from my uc so each month I get £120 only from Universal credit after reductions! So I question why I’m not getting a disability premium! And why they are deducting my old style ESA from Universal credit were I was told to stop the ESA claim and start again by 2 dwp employers and 1 uc work coach at my local job centre! But before this I was charged over £4000 for being a unpaid carer with £0 entitlement I got this back swiftly but no apologies or compensation for there error! Well I believe they are wrong again! I never received any time period since being on Universal credit switch and I’m still on old style ESA and not receiving any premiums! Also they deduct my payments every month as above! I went to job centre and kicked up a stink I received a call from DWP manager and he was shocked when I explained the situation and asked me to give them a copy of ESA contrabition letter *old style! Can anyone help please?
Hello Michael
I’m afraid this isn’t something that Independent Living can help with, but I recommend that you make an appointment with your local Citizens Advice, who should be able to advise you on your individual situation, and make sure you are getting all the benefits that you are entitled to.
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
My brother is getting contribution esa which is support group and universal credit . He will be receiving back pay from esa but not universal . Will they take his back pay off universal even tho universal don’t give back pay?
Hello Claire
Yes, if you get both contribution-based ESA and universal credit, the ESA counts as income and UC is reduced accordingly, unfortunately.
Best wishes, Frances
Will I only get the assessment rate, backdated, when a decision has been made and I’ve been put into a group?
I applied and sent the forms in explaining my injury / disability last year, November 21, and I’ve just today had my capability assessment, March 22. Should’ve I already been receiving the assessment rate or will that arrive in a lump sum when I’ve been accepted? ( if I’m put into a group )
Hello Chantaie
If your claim is accepted, which it has been, as you’ve been given a work capability assessment, you should start receiving payments a few weeks after you applied. It’s certainly been more than a few weeks, so I would get in touch with them and ask why you haven’t received any money yet.
ESA can be backdated for up to 3 months.
Best wishes, Frances
I think my SSP ran out in December as my employer said so. Haven’t had any money, but my employer has not provided me with a date that it finished. Or an SSP1 form or letter I have contacted them on numerous occasions. Still waiting for anything back from them. Did the online questionnaire for universal credit but recommended I apply for ESA. I did apply for pip in December only had a text before Christmas nothing else.
In July 2021 broke my ankle in 2 places, fibula bone and tore of my ligaments. This operation failed to stabilise my ankle and ligaments so need a second operation to fix it.
Have been waiting since end October 2021due to Covid-19 hospital waiting times and surgeons slots available.
Just wondering if there is anything you could advise me to help
Thanks in advance
Hi I had a letter from esa to say I have limited campassibility to work it’s been 2 weeks since recived the letter will I get a back pay I’m currently on universal credit ? And will my payment be soon ? Thanks
Hello Tia
ESA is paid fortnightly, so it should be soon. You may get some backpay – they calculate it from three months after you first applied for ESA.
Best wishes, Frances
I applied for ESA over a month ago. I was told I was going to get it but as yet nothing. I have no money coming in and the little savings I did have is almost gone. No Xmas for me this year by the looks of things.
I have recently filled out a capability for work questionnaire form around 5 months ago and would like to know when i will start receiving ESA roughly as i am currently struggling financially and mentally.
Hello Ricardo
It is usually one or two months after you have sent in the form, so five months sounds like a long time. I would get in touch with them and ask for an update on your application.
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
I want to claim ESA I’m not getting much on universal credit
Hi there
I wonder and very much hope you can advise me and reduce the confusion i am facing regarding benefits I recieve and may be entitled to?
I was awarded ESA Contribution based ESA in Oct 18 and added Support Group in March 19. My Assessor stated that I was to be treated as having LCWRA under regulation 35(2).
I was awarded Full PIP from Nov 18 after the usual 7 month battle and then prior to the impending Tribunal (very soon after my assessment and award from ESA Support Group) The award and backdating was made.
I spoke many times with various DWP depts and I was advised I was not entitled to any other benefits or allowances although i do think I may have made a claim or a least started one for UC before being advised not to.#
I own my own home (morgaged) and have not accepted the offer of a loan each week from DWP, which I am sure they offered. I have no savings.
I had become in debt with different Credit cards/Bank etc, progressively becoming worse and an advisor from one of these said that I must be entitled to more and gave me a site with a benefits calculator the results imply I should have been getting new style ESA additionally and perhaps UC top up? (approx 2 weeks ago)
following this I spoke with the DWP and was informed I would have my EAS deducted from UC and therefore should apply for NS ESA and was sent a link to New Style ESa which I completed on the 16th Nov 2021. I received an email link to complete and then a text to say it was received.
I have spoken with ‘Mind’ although conversation could not be complteted due to phone issues (I’m going to try and get though to the expert advisor again tomorrow) From what I can gather I should have been getting income based ESA and or UC and also should not be paying Council Tax at all, I pay around 250 a year from my CB ESA.
What really is bothering me is the conflicting advice I have been given throughout the last 3 years and potentially the benefits and allowances I am entitled to. I’m in pure frustration with it all and finances are really difficult to manage presently.
If you can advise at all I would be so grateful.#
Kind Regards
G
Hello
I am sorry to hear of your situation, and I’m sure it must be very difficult for you, trying to manage and getting conflicting advice.
I hope you do manage to get through to Mind again, and that they can give you accurate information. If not, Citizens Advice may be able to help.
If you find that you shouldn’t have been paying council tax, you can claim a refund from the council, which might help a bit.
And there are a number of debt advice charities which can help you make a plan to get your finances back under control – this website page has contact details:
https://www.adviceuk.org.uk/looking-for-advice/other-sources-of-advice/money-debt-advice/ (external link will open in a new browser tab or window)
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
I have recently filled out a capability for work questionnaire form 9 weeks ago and would like to know when i will start receiving ESA as i am currently struggling financially and mentally
My husband has been getting support group esa since 2018 but he has just recieved a lump sum due to them underpaying him for the last 3 years. Because we get UC alongside, will we have to reimburse them? I don’t know if they’ve been topping us up essentially.
Hello Kara
I am not sure, to be honest – I think you need to get specific advice about to your individual situation. Citizens Advice should be able to help you. General principles – UC is a tapering benefit, which decreases to take account of increases in other sources of income or savings. But there is often a grace period, if you get a lump sum paid back by the DWP, before it is taken into account as part of your financial resources. It is definitely worth getting advice, so that you know where you stand.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hi just looking for a bit of advice regarding my ESA claim as I’m very confused I had my claimant commitment phone call last week and I’m still waiting for a payment does anyone know how long it takes?
I’m not sure, Vicky, but after having agreed to the claimant commitment, you should be getting notification of your award very soon. ESA is paid fortnightly in arrears.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hi I was on esa 2016 2017 I was then awarded pip but have never received back dated money.
How would I go about checking if I’m entitled
Hello Sally
Unfortunately, PIP can’t be backdated to before you claimed.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hi
I was unfortunately on the sick from August 2020
I am still waiting to be put into the support group for ESA June 2021.
I claim UC and have had my medical assessment and have been awarded the disability to work.
I also have been awarded enhanced PIP
I was wondering will my ESA be backdated if I am also claiming UC?
Any help would be much appreciated.
Many thanks
Chelley
Hello Michelle
If you are put in the support group, ESA can be backdated to 13 weeks after you applied.
If you get ESA as well as UC, the amount of Universal Credit will be reduced to take account of the other benefit payment.
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
Hello Frances,
I am very down and don’t know what to do. I been searching for my answers everywhere on google and then I found this platform so thought ll give it a try. So basically I been awarded with contribution based ESA around February 2020. Just like with everyone initially they put me also in work related activity group but this time it went beyond 13 weeks. It went for a whole full year till February 2021. But as u will already know with contribution based ESA one can be on the work related group only for a year and then they stop it, which they did with me as well. However bear in mind they still didn’t assess me all this time to decide wether I remain in work related group or support group. When I got in touch with them they said it’s due to coronavirus we are not doing any face to face interviews. They asked me to wait for a phone health assessment. I been waiting and waiting for the assessment and finally they sent me a letter with assessment date for the 13th of may 2021. In the mean time in April me and my husband applied to Universal credit as well because my husband lost his job. So we applied to Universal credit. Now it’s been two weeks that the assessment was done ok me for Esa and I am still not given any decision to wether they are putting me in work related group or support. So I called them today to ask and the ESA department told me that we can’t do the decision as you are also on Universal credit now so it will have to be them to assess you and decide as to in which group I will be in as they are the primary department. So my question now is that what’s going on here? Why are they mixing universal credit with ESA? And one universal credit decides I’m entitled to be in the support group then will I be paid two payments? One under Universal credit LCWRA and one under ESA for support group ?? And if they say no only one payment under Universal credit which is LCWRA then what about my backdated payments since last year February 2020? Will I be getting them paid and how? Please answer my queries as I am very confused and frustrated. (I personally believe I should be under support group in ESA. )
Hello Sam
I’m sorry to hear about your situation. Essentially, universal credit is a replacement for ESA, so you wouldn’t get both. The amount of UC will depend on on which group you are in, there is an extra payment called the LCWRA component if you have limited capability for work and work related activity.
It does seem incredible that you were left without any assessment relating to ESA for a year. I think you should get some professional support to help you with this – your local Citizens Advice should be able to help with your individual circumstances.
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
I’ve recently just been awarded the higher rate esa but I’m being told I can not back date it at all, and have to wait for another 2 months to start receiving the higher rate esa. Is this correct? How can I apply to have the claim back dated?
Hello Claire
You get the assessment rate for the first 13 weeks after you apply. If it takes them longer than 13 weeks to decide that you should be in the support group, then you can have the higher rate backdated to 13 weeks after you applied.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hi! My partner was awarded ESA, he got his first payment but he still waiting for the back payment since the claim was made. Any idea on how long that back payment to arrive? Thank you for your help
Just keep on contacting them. It will hurry things up.
If you have a universal credit online account. Send a message on your journal. I was in your shoes. And waited for ages. I then thought. Enough is enough. And kept sending messages. Within 3-5 days I received my backdated money. Minus what I owed them for social loan etc etc. Good luck
Hi Luigi
It shouldn’t take long, once the award has been made. If it seems to be taking too long, your partner should contact the DWP to find out what’s happening.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hi I have received 2 letters stating that o have been accepted to receive esa and that it will be back dated letter states i will receive payment soon but i would like to exactly when i will receice the payment as i have no money coming in at the moment .
Hi Lorraine
ESA gets paid every two weeks, so it really shouldn’t be long until it arrives.
Sorry I can’t give you any more specific information.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hi my son has been awarded ESA we had to take it to court and he won . My question is will this get backdated as it took nearly 2 years fighting for this ?
Hello Tina
Guidance from the government is that if it takes longer than 13 weeks to complete an ESA assessment, whatever the eventual award it will be backdated to 13 weeks after the application was originally made. If your son does not get back payment automatically, I would get in touch with the DWP to ask where it is.
Best wishes,
Frances
Good Evening Frances,
My issues is a mixture of previous queries and basis was transfer from IS and Care on mothers death to ‘Old Style ESA’. However due to virus and DWP / Social Service (County Council) mix up out of my control, the medical assessment was carried out recently awarding, support group for ESA with information that I don’t have to work due to disability or provide fit notes etc.
Since I started out on basic ESA having paid enough stamp, the award was £74 ish with other bits added to make £150 ish. Since reading on site that back pay exists, then when would this actually start from and why?
To iterate, my new rate of £197 ish comes into play this Friday but as taken over 54 weeks to sort out. I understand some of the DWP guides etc but not really fully clear on back pay and if its for only 3 months – 1 day; seems rather unfair as under normal circumstances I should have been assessed 46 weeks ago.
By the way, my assessment was NOT over the phone etc…, and was given when enough information regarding my medical requirements. Again I can understand virus was part of problem but £45 ish for 46 weeks seems fair? And if not do I submit a MA etc???
Hello Darren
The guidance from the Government is “If it takes longer than 13 weeks to assess your claim, you’ll continue getting the ‘assessment rate’ until you get a decision or until your ESA is due to end. Your ESA will be backdated if you’re owed any money after 13 weeks.”
If I understand your situation correctly, you were receiving the assessment rate for a lot longer than 13 weeks, so your final award should be backdated to 13 weeks after you originally applied for ESA. So if you don’t get a back payment, I would get in touch with the DWP and ask where it is.
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
hello clare I’ve been in receipt of ESA for 3 years on the sda but I’ve now been told I’m no longer allowed the sda part of my claim because my daughter claims carers for me and they have now put me on jsa. Does this mean I will have to pay it back? I can’t work at all I have a lot of problems with walking as well as back and knee problems.
Hello Keith
Your question highlights the importance of getting advice when claiming benefits such as carer’s allowance. Sometimes you can lose more in disability benefits than the person receives in CA.
They can ask you to pay back any overpayment unfortunately – this would be any severe disability premiums paid at the same time as your daughter was getting carer’s allowance.
Best wishes,
Frances
How long after applying for esa will I receive payment? I applied 22/01/2021
Thanks
Hello Lauren
After a seven day waiting period, you are put into the assessment phase, where you are paid a basic rate of ESA while the DWP decides whether you are eligible. This lasts for a few weeks, during which you will have a work capability assessment (WCA) over the phone. Depending on the outcome, you will either be put in one or other ESA groups, or else you will need to apply for Jobseekers Allowance, or if you can, Income Support.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hi there I’m currently in the support group Esa (contribution based.) I’m trying to find out if I leave work (hand my notice in) on ill health grounds will I still be entitled to Esa? I’m fed up of work on my back constantly and having to hand in sick notes when I don’t have to provide these any more to Esa. It’s beginning to stress me out as I have Heart problems and mental health issues (as well as knee, shoulder and back problems)
I’m just trying to find out if there would be any change to what I get currently. Thank you
Hello
People in the support group for ESA don’t have to work. They are allowed to do what is called “Permitted work”, but that is up to the individual concerned. So if you stop working, it shouldn’t have any effect on your ESA.
Best wishes,
Frances
I have just been told that i am not entitled to Esa. I am unsure of what to do next. At the moment i am on enhanced mobility for pip and haven’t worked since March 2020. I am 45 years old and I have advanced knee arthritis and my mobility has declined. I have to use 2 crutches and struggle to do the most simple things like shopping and generally just getting about. I was told by consultant that i am to young for a knee operation and have been referred to pain management. Just dont know what to do. As i have worked all my life and never had to claim for things before. Any help would be so grateful.
Hello Michelle
I am sorry to hear of the situation you find yourself in – I hope the pain management clinic helps you with strategies to improve things.
If you aren’t entitled to ESA, Universal Credit is the main benefit you can claim. I recommend that you use the benefit checker on Entitled To, so that you don’t miss out on any support you could be claiming:
https://www.entitledto.co.uk/help/employment-and-support-allowance (external link will open in a new browser window)
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
I am on esa due various conditions ,but after a serious back injury needing surgery I have had to have assistance with a few things . I had carers for a while but when they finished coming to me I still struggled with many things so had a friend come with me . A male friend who assists with cooking ,washing up and general things around the house .He stays hear rent free in return for the help and pays his way bill wise .He did have a job but has recently lost it so i am wondering if him signing on is going to affect the situation
Hello Karen
I don’t know the answer to your question, I am afraid – but I do urge you to get advice, so that you don’t find any nasty surprises with future benefit payments. Your local citizens advice bureau should be able to help.
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
I applied for ESA in March, was told I could only have national insurance credits, no payments. I asked for reason, dwp said not the right national insurance credits in last 3 years. I checked with national insurance contributions office and was informed that I did in fact have the required class 1 national insurance credits which entitles me to ESA.
Proof was sent to ESA office and provided by HMRC contributions office.
ESA are still refusing to give me any payments.
What can I do ??
I just get told I will get a letter in a few days when I ring them, then the letters never materialise.
Hello Jacqueline
How very frustrating. You should complain about the poor service and ask the DWP to put things right.
You can find details of their complaints procedure here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-work-pensions/about/complaints-procedure (external link will open in a new browser window)
Sometimes the very act of complaining speeds things up…
Let me know how you get on.
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
hi, can you help, my husband was receiving ESA for the 365 days which ended on 5/7/2020, he was then put into work related activity group which he cannot do, we appealed that he should have been in the support group from the start as he has numerous health and mental conditions with the support lettters/emails of his GP and our MP, i cannot find how to track the status of the appeal anywhere although i could find his PIP one which is being telephoned interview after 45 weeks of waiting can you advice where i can track the ESA one please
Hello Penny
If you appeal an ESA decision online, you will be asked if you want to join the ‘track your appeal’ service. This will send you regular email updates and reminders about your appeal. You’ll also get a login, so you can check the progress of your appeal at any time.
If you do it by post you can then contact HMCTS and ask them to send you updates and reminders by text message.
HM Courts and Tribunals Service Telephone: 0300 123 1142
Open Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm
Email: contactsscs@justice.gov.uk
Apparently it takes longer for them to respond if you get in touch by email rather than phone.
It can take about six months for the tribunal hearing to be arranged.
Best wishes,
Frances
Hi
I telephoned ESA office again yesterday and was told I would receive a call back within 3 hours, that never materialised.
I telephoned them again this morning and was informed that according to their records I had never worked a day in my life since the day I left school, that’s a load of rubbish, I have worked and in fact was a partner in a plumbing business until March this year doing clerical jobs.
They now say they do not know where their information has come from as it does not match that of HMRC, so they need to investigate. They have refused to send HMRC something called a Benefit involved file, which HMRC National insurance contributions office asked them to send to them, they claim it is not applicable in my case. Funny that as it will prove that they have got the wrong information.
They have failed to pass on a copy of my National insurance contributions record to the benefits office ,which I was sent by HMRC, this would show that I had Class 1 national insurance credits for the relevant years that they needed, 2017 to 2018 and 2018 to 2019.
HMRC have informed me that these credits do entitle me to ESA.
Now they are claiming that half of the credits are missing for those years, which they are not.
I am at my wits end.!!
I will now write to the complaints department as it is not a joke any more. being treated like a second class person for just being ill.
Anyone any better ideas ???
Hi Frances
My daughter’s ESA Appeal Tribunal was upheld in her favour on the 20/4/2020 whilst she has been in receipt of Universal Credit.
The Job Centre has sent several emails to the ESA Department and my daughter managed to get through via the telephone this morning after trying several times.
Will she be entitled to backdated payments since the ESA was stopped in December 2018? And will she be transferred back on to the old style Incapacity Benefit before it was changed to ESA?
We realise there are delays due to the Covid 19 pandemic but clarity of the situation would be very helpful.
Many thanks
Kind regards
Maureen
Hello Maureen
Your daughter should get backpayments to cover the time since her ESA was stopped, but if you claim universal credit while waiting for your appeal, apparently you can’t go back onto ESA if you’re on ‘income-related ESA’. This applies even if you win your appeal. I hope this isn’t your daughter’s situation. They haven’t allowed any new claims for Incapacity Benefit since 2011, so I don’t think that would be a possibility.
Best wishes,
Frances
Will the ruling on mandatory reconsiderations also apply to PIP appeals? Four years ago I was denied PIP due to a mix-up over rescheduling an assessment but after asking for an MR never heard anything until, months later I was able to get through on the phone to ask about progress, only to be told the decision had been upheld. Without an MRN though I couldn’t go to the next stage but a copy which was promised never arrived. Even my MP was unable to obtain a copy. A rights of access request provided reams of material but a copy of the MRN wasn’t amongst it, nor was there a note on the telephone log referring to the request for a copy which the ‘customer support’ person said she was making. I was unwell on top of usual conditions and the added stress and confusion made me far worse. It took until late last year before I could reapply (only now to have phone assessment). Terrified it’s all going to be repeated because they know so many of us just can’t fight back.
Hello Clare
So far, it is only ESA. Bear in mind that the DWP had to be taken to court in order to achieve this outcome. I don’t think they will voluntarily extend it to other benefits, though I would love to be proved wrong.
I’m really sorry to hear about all you have been going through trying to get PIP, and I just hope that this time the outcome is satisfactory.
Good luck and best wishes,
Frances
how much ESA will I get this Wednesday it’s miss Clare pickin jb6 11843d I’ve got ESA over 13 weeks and I havnt got my money backdated
Hello Clare
I don’t know the answer to that, but it should be in the notification you got from the DWP.
Best wishes,
Frances
will I get my last payment tomorrow to put me on till I get my universal credit in 2weeks I need money to live on