Attendance Allowance
Attendance Allowance can help you if you have an illness or disability. Find out more.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is a benefit for people who can't work because of an illness or disability.
You could claim ESA if you're unable to work because of an illness or disability.
You may be able to claim ESA with, or instead of, Universal Credit, depending on your National Insurance record.
The new style ESA has replaced contributory ESA for anyone making a claim for the first time. But if you already claim income-related ESA or contributory ESA, then you'll continue to be paid these, provided you still meet the eligibility criteria. Anyone already claiming income-related ESA will eventually be moved to Universal Credit.
New claims for income-related ESA aren't available anymore as it's being replaced by Universal Credit.
Every claim for ESA is assessed by a healthcare professional. While your claim is assessed, you'll typically be paid an assessment rate for 13 weeks.
If the outcome of your assessment is that you're eligible for ESA, you're put into one of two groups, depending on whether you're assessed as being able to take steps towards getting back into work, such as going to job interviews.
Group | Amount per week | Who gets this? |
Work-related activity | Up to £84.80 | Those who are able to get back into work in the future |
Support | Up to £129.50 | Those unable to get back into work because of an illness or disability |
ESA is based on National Insurance contributions and is taxable. It may be reduced if you have a private pension or you’re claiming other benefits. You might also be eligible for Universal Credit which can pay extra amounts depending on your circumstances, such as if you pay rent or care for someone.
Those in the support group on income-related ESA can also .
You might be eligible to claim new style ESA if you:
The new style ESA is not means-tested. You can claim new style ESA and Universal Credit at the same time – but if you do, your Universal Credit amount will be reduced by the amount of ESA you get.
Do you know what benefits you are entitled to? Our Benefits Calculator can help you, quickly and easily, to find out what you could be claiming.
To make a claim, for yourself or someone else, you have to submit a form. There are a couple of ways you can do this. You can:
After you apply you’ll be invited to attend a medical assessment called a 'work capability assessment' and fill in a 'limited capacity for work' questionnaire. This looks at how your illness or disability affects you. After this, you’ll be told whether you’re eligible for ESA.
If you’re eligible for ESA, you’ll be placed in the ‘work-related activity group’ or the ‘support group’.
You'll be contacted about any additional evidence that's needed for your application and where this should be sent.
We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local °ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²ÊÖ±²¥×î¿ì¿ª½±s.
Attendance Allowance can help you if you have an illness or disability. Find out more.
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