This article details the Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) in the UK, a benefit for those with long-term health conditions and disabilities that limit their ability to work. It outlines eligibility criteria, the Work Capability Assessment process, and recent data on claimant numbers and common conditions.
Over 1.4 million people across the UK rely on the Employment and Support Allowance to navigate the financial challenges posed by long-term health conditions and disabilities .
The benefit is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions and is intended to give support to people who cannot work, or can only work a limited amount. It does this by providing a work coach and various services including employment, training and condition management support to help you manage your illness or disability. Eligibility is determined through the Work Capability Assessment .
During this assessment, the DWP focuses on an individual's functional ability—how a condition limits their day-to-day life and work capacity—rather than a specific diagnosis. Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter According to the latest DWP data, there are 21 medical conditions that make you eligible to make an ESA claim.
The most popular condition for ESA claimants, according to the data, is mental and behavioural disorders - of which there are 428,054 cases. To be eligible for ESA you must: be under State Pension age have a health condition or disability that limits your ability to work not be claiming Statutory Sick Pay or Jobseeker's Allowance you must have paid enough National Insurance contributions in the 2 full tax years before the year you are claiming in According to the latest government data, published in August 2025, there are a total of 998,885 Employment Support Allowance claims across the country.
Certain Infectious and Parasitic diseases - 4,814 Neoplasms - 42,606 Diseases of the Blood and Blood forming organs and certain diseases involving the immune mechanism - 2,246 Endocrine, Nutritional and Metabolic diseases - 13,133 Mental and Behavioural disorders - 428,054 Diseases of the Nervous System - 94,594 Diseases of the Eye and Adnexa - 11,253 Diseases of the Ear and Mastoid Process - 5,244 Diseases of the Circulatory System - 44,390 Diseases of the Respiratory System - 22,372 Diseases of the Digestive System - 16,626 Diseases of the Skin and Subcutaneous System - 3,774 Disease of the Musculoskeletal System and Connective Tissue - 133,538 Diseases of the Genito-urinary System - 7,007 Pregnancy, Childbirth and the Puerperium - 592 Certain conditions originating in the Perinatal period - 5 Congenital Malformations, Deformations and Chromosomal Abnormalities - 17,404 Symptoms, signs and abnormal Clinical and Laboratory findings, not elsewhere classified - 94,347 Injury, poisoning and certain other consequences of external causes - 24,682 External causes of morbidity and mortality - 2,230 Factors influencing Health Status and contact with Health Services - 23,390 Total - 998,88 Employment and Support Allowance rates for the 2026/27 tax year are generally split into an assessment phase and a main phase, with additional components depending on the outcome of a Work Capability Assessment.
People can claim up to £231 a week if eligible, with support group and enhanced premiums taken into account. Assessment Phase Rates During the initial 13 weeks of your claim, you will receive these rates while the DWP assesses your capability for work: Under 25: Up to £75.65 per week. 25 or over: Up to £95.55 per week.
Main Phase Rates Once assessed, you will be placed in a group, which determines your rate. 1. Work-Related Activity Group If you are expected to return to work at some point, you may receive: Personal Allowance : £95.55 per week. Work-related activity component: £37.95 per week. Note: For many, this is now limited to one year. 2.
Support Group If your illness or disability limits your ability to work, you will receive: Personal Allowance : £95.55 per week. Support component: £50.35 per week. Total: Typically £145.90 per week. Income-Related ESA Premiums The government says if you’re in the support group and on income-related ESA, you’re also entitled to the enhanced disability premium.
You may also qualify for the severe disability premium, which consists of: Enhanced disability premium: £22.00 / £31.40 per week. Severe disability premium: £86.05 / £172.10 per week. Carer Premium: £48.15 per week. Payments of ESA are made every two weeks. For information on ESA see the gov.uk website .
Employment And Support Allowance ESA DWP Disability Benefits UK Welfare
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