How to claim New Style ESA

Before you claim

Check that you:

• are too ill to work, or can only do a little work
• are under State Pension age
• have paid, or been credited with, enough National Insurance, usually in the last 2 to 3 tax years
• are not getting Statutory Sick Pay (you can claim ESA up to 3 months before it ends)

If you are not sure about your National Insurance, you can check your record on GOV.UK.

What you need

• your National Insurance number
• your bank or building society details
• your GP's or doctor's name and address
• a fit note if you have been ill for more than 7 days
• details of any income from pensions or insurance
• details of any work you are doing

How to claim

1. Apply online at GOV.UK, or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644 if you cannot apply online.
2. Send your fit note. Keep sending new ones until the DWP tells you to stop.
3. Go to your first appointment with a work coach, if you are asked.
4. Fill in the ESA50 form about how your health affects you.
5. Have your Work Capability Assessment, unless you are told you do not need one.
6. Get your decision. You are paid at the basic rate while you wait.

Read the Work Capability Assessment explained.

Claiming with Universal Credit

You can get New Style ESA and Universal Credit at the same time. Universal Credit counts ESA as income, so your Universal Credit goes down by the same amount. It is still worth claiming both, because:

• New Style ESA is not affected by your savings or partner's income
• it gives you National Insurance credits
• if your Universal Credit stops, you may still get ESA

Find out about the Universal Credit health element.

Also check

Being ill or disabled can bring extra costs. You may also be able to get:

• PIP, for the extra costs of a disability (try our free PIP self-check)
• help with NHS health costs, such as prescriptions and dental care
• money off bills, such as council tax and energy