Employment support allowance

This benefit is for people who find it harder to get a job because:

• You have a disability
• You have a problem with your health and will have this problem for a long time or the rest of your life

How does it work?

You make a claim for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) by telephoning Jobcentre Plus. You will need to answer some questions and will probably need to have a medical assessment with a doctor or nurse. After your assessment you are put in one of two groups:

• People who find it very hard to work and get a paid job go into the 'support group'. You can do voluntary work if you like. This is work you do for a few hours each week and that you do not get paid for. Doing voluntary work might help you to get a paid job in the future
• People who with the right help and support can learn skills to help them work and get a paid job, go into the 'work-related activity group'. You will have to go to six interviews with an adviser. The adviser will try to help you get ready to work. You must go to all these interviews to carry on getting your full amount of Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

The group you are in affects how much money you get and what you need to do to keep the benefit.

Claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and doing 'permitted work'

If you claim Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) on the basis that you have limited capability for work, you would normally expect the benefit to stop if you start working. There are certain situations where you can do some paid work and keep your Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). This is known as 'permitted work'.

Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and full-time education

If you are in full-time education and are getting Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) you can still apply for income-related Employment Support Allowance (ESA). Whether a course is full-time depends on the type of course and where you are studying.

Part-time students are eligible to claim whether they get Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or not.

To find out how much this benefit may be worth or to apply for this benefit visit the government website.