Do I qualify for Employment Support Allowance (ESA)?
Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) replaced incapacity benefit and income support paid to those who are unable to work because of illness or disability.
As from October 2008, all new claimants have been assessed under the rules of this new benefit. Existing claimants will remain on the old benefits until they are assessed and then migrated to ESA; the Government has said that this will happen from October 2010.
Employment and Support Allowance involves a new medical assessment called the Work Capability Assessment. This assesses what you can do, rather than what you cannot, and identifies the health-related support you might need.
ESA consists of the following elements:
Contributory ESA
This replaces incapacity benefit and is linked to your national insurance record. Before you can get contributory ESA, the Department of Work and Pension (DWP) will need to assess whether you have paid sufficient national insurance.
From April 2012 a time limit of one year is to apply to all contributory ESA claims placed in the work related activity group. (WRAG).
People in the WRAG already receiving contributory ESA as at April 2012 will have the period of time already spent on the benefit before April 2012 taken into account in calculating the one year period.
If you have exhausted contributory ESA, you may be eligible for Income-related ESA
Income-related ESA
This replaces income support paid on the ground of illness. Before you can get income-related ESA, the DWP will look at your savings, capital and any other income you may have, to see whether these exceed a certain amount. If you live with a partner, your partner’s income will be taken into account to calculate your ESA income-related entitlement. Like income support help with your mortgage interest payment is paid under Income-related ESA.
If you are entitled to Income-based ESA you are exempt from Prescription charges and receive free NHS dental treatment and free eye tests
When you claim ESA you will be paid a basic allowance and you enter a 13 week ‘assessment stage.’ During this period you will undergo the work capability assessment medical, which will determine whether you join the support group or the work-related activity group.
If following the work capability assessment you are placed in the support group, you will not have to undertake work related activities unless you want to do so as a volunteer. If on the other hand, you are placed in the work related activity group (WRAG), you will need to meet work-related conditions these include taking part in work-focused interviews. If you fail to meet these conditions, your ESA may be paid at a lower rate.
To claim ESA you need to obtain a medical certificate from your GP or HIV consultant and then contact Job Centre Plus on 0800 055 66 88