Employment and Support Allowance

On October 27 2008, the Employment and Support Allowance replaced Income Support and Incapacity Benefit. 

The Employment and Support Allowance is a new benefit for people with an illness, or disability. It provides a new way of helping people move into work if they are able. Claimants have access to a special advisor, who offers them personalised support and services, including training opportunities, employment and condition management. 

Please see the questions and answers below for more information.

What is Employment and Support Allowance?

Employment and Support Allowance is a new benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) from October 27 2008 if a person's ability to work is limited by health or disability. It replaces both Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid on the grounds of incapacity for new claims. The DWP will continue to pay Income Support and Incapacity Benefit to existing customers.

Why has Employment and Support Allowance been introduced?

The benefit is a new way of helping people with a disability or illness to move into work, if they are able. There is evidence which shows that people are better off in work, not only financially, but in terms of their self esteem and the future prospects for themselves and their family.

Employment and Support Allowance offers claimants personalised support so they can work if they are able by giving them access to a specially-trained personal adviser and a wide range of other services, including training and condition management support. This is also available for existing Income Support and Incapacity Benefit claimants.

How is allocation of the benefit decided?

There is a two-part assessment process. A central feature of entitlement to this benefit is a new medical assessment called the Work Capability Assessment, which assesses what people can do, rather than what they can't, and it identifies the health related support they may need.

What expectations are there on claimants?

Most people claiming Employment and Support Allowance are expected to take steps to help prepare for work, including attending a series of work-focused interviews with their personal adviser.

What happens if claimants are simply too unwell to work?

Under Employment and Support Allowance, if you have an illness or disability that severely affects your ability to work, you are entitled to get increased financial support and are not expected to prepare for a return to work.

Does claiming Employment and Support Allowance affect my other benefits?

Generally, there should not be any difference to an individual's eligibility for other benefits.

If you are getting Employment and Support Allowance, you may still be able to get some benefits, for example:

• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance Carer's
• Allowance Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit
• Basic War Pension
• Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit or gratuity, or Payments from an employer (this could include wages, company sick pay or a benefit from a union).

You cannot get Employment and Support Allowance if you get one or more of the following: 

• Jobseeker's Allowance
• State Pension
• money because you can't get work
• money for training
• Statutory Sick Pay
• Income Support, or
• Incapacity Benefit.

You should speak to an adviser if you were getting Incapacity Benefit within the last two years.

How can I find out more?

People can claim Employment and Support Allowance by calling 0800 055 6688 between 8am and 6pm or fill in a claim form online at www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk. This website is also a good source of information.