New Style Employment and Support Allowance

A contributory benefit for people with a health condition or disability that limits their ability to work.

New Style ESA payments are made up of a weekly basic allowance of either £75.65 or £95.55 and are then topped up by one of the two health related components, either £37.95 or £50.35.

It is a contributions-based benefit, meaning entitlement is based on National Insurance contributions in the last two full tax years prior to the year a claim is made.

The relevant National Insurance contributions may have been through either employment or self-employment. It is possible to continue doing some limited work while claiming New Style ESA.

In cases where a person is unable to claim Universal Credit, for example, if they exceed the upper capital limit, they may be able to claim New Style ESA instead.

New Style ESA requires a Work Capability Assessment process, which looks at how your health conditions effect your ability to work or look for work.

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