How to claim New Style ESA if a health condition stops you from working
Key points
- New Style ESA pays £95.55 to £145.90 a week — it is based on your National Insurance record, so your income, savings, and your partner's earnings do not affect whether you qualify.
- You can claim New Style ESA at the same time as Universal Credit — people placed in the ESA support group often end up with more income overall than on UC alone.
- Apply as soon as you cannot work — DWP will contact you within 10 working days, and the sooner you apply, the sooner your payments can start.
Who can get New Style ESA
New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is a weekly payment from DWP. It is for people who cannot work — or whose ability to work is limited — because of a health condition or disability.
Unlike Universal Credit, New Style ESA is a contribution-based benefit. It is based on your National Insurance (NI) record, not your income or savings. If you have paid or been credited with enough NI contributions through recent work, you may qualify — even if you have a partner who earns a good wage or you have savings.
For 2026 claims, you usually need NI contributions in the two full tax years 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025.
How much you can get
For the first 13 weeks — the assessment phase — you receive:
- £95.55 a week if you are 25 or over
- £77.65 a week if you are 16 to 24
After that, a healthcare professional carries out a Work Capability Assessment. This looks at how your condition affects what you can do at work. DWP then places you in one of two groups:
- Work-related activity group — £95.55 a week. You are expected to take steps towards returning to work when you feel ready. Payments from this group stop after one year.
- Support group — £145.90 a week. Your condition is serious enough that you are not expected to prepare for work. There is no time limit on these payments.
Claiming alongside Universal Credit
You can claim New Style ESA at the same time as Universal Credit. They are treated as two separate payments.
If you get both, DWP counts your ESA as income when it works out your UC amount — so the two amounts are not simply added together. But if you are placed in the support group, you often end up with more income overall than you would on UC alone.
Many people miss out because they do not know they can claim both. If you are already on Universal Credit and a health condition is stopping you from working, it is worth checking whether your NI record qualifies you for New Style ESA on top.
How to claim
You can apply online at gov.uk or by calling DWP. Have these ready when you apply:
- your National Insurance number
- your bank account details
- your GP's name and address
- a fit note, if you have been unable to work for more than 7 days
DWP will contact you within 10 working days of your claim. Apply as soon as you cannot work — the sooner you apply, the sooner your payments can start.
If you are not sure whether your NI record qualifies you, Citizens Advice can help you check. Visit citizensadvice.org.uk for free advice.
Frequently asked questions
What if I am already on Universal Credit and become too unwell to work?
Check whether your National Insurance record qualifies you for New Style ESA on top — Citizens Advice can look at your NI record with you and help you make the claim at citizensadvice.org.uk.
Does New Style ESA apply in Scotland and Wales as well as England?
Yes — New Style ESA applies across England, Scotland, and Wales. Northern Ireland has its own ESA scheme run by the Department for Communities NI, with separate contact details and rules.
Official source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance