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What is it?
Employment and Support Allowance is a new benefit that replaces Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid on incapacity grounds for new claimants.
You may be able to get Employment and Support Allowance if you have an illness or disability that affects your ability to work. If you are an employee you may be able to get Statutory Sick Pay as an alternative to Employment and Support Allowance, at least when you are first off work.
There are 2 types of Employment and Support Allowance: contribution-based and income-based.
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance is paid if you paid enough National Insurance contributions when you were working. You can get it even if your partner works or if you have saving.
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance is payable if you have not paid enough National Insurance contributions. It can also top-up contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance.
Can I get it?
When you first make a claim for Employment and Support Allowance all you need to show is a medical certificate. However, after the 'assessment phase' of 13 weeks Employment and Support Allowance is only payable if you meet the 'Work Capability Assessment' rules.
Your eligibility for contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance depends on if you paid enough National Insurance contributions when you were working. Your eligibility for Income-related Employment and Support Allowance depends on your income and capital.
How do I claim?
You can make a claim for Employment and Support Allowance by phoning 0800 055 6688 (or 0800 023 4888 if you have a speech or hearing impairment).
More details on how the process for claiming and assessing Employment and
Support Allowance are available on the DWP website.
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