ESA - Employment and Support
Allowance.
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ESA or Employment and Support Allowance is specifically aimed at
getting you back into work when you have an illness or disability. These
days, it is payable instead of the Incapacity Allowance - except for
some cases - and Income Support Benefit that was paid when there was a
disability or illness.
It is a two part allowance - physical help and support from
Jobcentre staff and financial help. All with the intention of
either finding you work, or helping you to keep the job that you
have, whilst you are ill or suffering some disability.
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The 'help' staff are well trained to
'assist' you in your endeavours, and will do all they can to get you
working again! You will probably have your own 'personal trainer' who is
specially trained in overcoming the obstacles that often prevent you
from working when ill. As well as this personal guide, you will be
'encouraged' to use a wide range of support services to meet this end.
Extra financial support is available for those who have severe
illness or disability.
Who can get ESA?
Virtually anyone who is out of work because of sickness or disability
should be able to get the financial help and personal support that this
area of benefits covers - including.....
- If you are ill or otherwise disabled, and either off work or out
of work.
- If you are self-employed - but cannot work because of illness or
disability.
- If you are in work but cannot get SSP from your employer for any
reason..
- If you were getting SSP but it has now either been stopped or
you have run out of SSP time.
There are basically two types of ESA - being ....
- Based on NHI contributions - if you have paid enough - or
- If you do not have enough money by way of savings or, if you
have not paid enough NHI for whatever reason, you may be entitled to
Income Related ESA
You will be able to find out about your NHI situation from an advisor
at the Jobcentre. They will then be able to point out the direction you
should (must) take if you want to get ESA!
If I go abroad, you could still get your ESA if you only go for a
short trip - up to four weeks, or if you are getting medical treatment
whilst abroad. You may also get ESA if you live with a member of the
Armed Forces, and follow them overseas by way of posting or other trip.
Senior Citizen at State Pension Age and ESA.
- Once you have reached state pension age, you can no longer
receive ESA or apply for it. Men between the ages of 60 years and 65
years may be able to get ESA together with Pension Credit Payments.
Medical Assessment for ESA.
It may well be that once you have applied for ESA, you could be asked
to take part in a Work Capability Assessment. This will involve filling
in a questionnaire that will be sent to you. You may also have to go for
a medical assessment and
examination for your ESA claim, to determine the type of work you may be capable
of, or to see the full extent of your illness or disability.
If this is the case, it will not be 'optional' for if you refuse or
otherwise do not take part - your benefits could stop or at least be
reduced!
Work Focussed Interview.
You may also be required to attend for an interview - or so, which
will focus on getting you back to work. It will be conducted by a
trained advisor. Again, if you fail to attend, then you will almost
certainly be subjected to a reduction in benefits.
This is how ESA works.
How to Claim
for ESA - Employment and Support Allowance. |
The ESA Medical |
After the ESA medical |
How ESA Works |
