New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) explained

If illness or disability stops you working and you have paid enough National Insurance, you may be able to claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance. Unlike Universal Credit, it does not depend on your income or savings, so it can be claimed even if you have a partner who works or money in the bank. This guide explains New Style ESA, the 2026/27 rates, who can claim, and how it works.

What New Style ESA is

New Style Employment and Support Allowance, often shortened to New Style ESA, is a benefit for people under State Pension age whose ability to work is limited by a health condition or disability. It is based on your National Insurance record rather than your income, which means it is not means-tested. It provides a weekly payment and National Insurance credits, and can be claimed on its own or alongside Universal Credit.

Who can claim

To claim New Style ESA, you generally need to have been employed or self-employed and paid, or been credited with, enough National Insurance contributions in the last two to three tax years. You must be under State Pension age and have a health condition or disability that limits your ability to work, supported by a fit note. Because it is based on National Insurance, your savings and your partner's income do not affect it.

The 2026/27 rates

For the first 13 weeks, called the assessment phase, you are paid a basic rate while your capability for work is assessed. For 2026/27 this is around £95.55 a week if you are 25 or over, and a lower rate if you are under 25. After the assessment phase, if you are placed in the support group, you can receive up to £145.90 a week, while the work-related activity group rate is around £133.50 a week.

The assessment phase and the two groups

After you claim, there is a 13-week assessment phase while the DWP decides how your condition affects your ability to work, mainly through a Work Capability Assessment. Based on this, you are placed in one of two groups: the support group, for people with the most significant limitations who are not expected to prepare for work, or the work-related activity group, for those who may be able to work in the future and are expected to take some steps towards it.

How long it lasts

If you are placed in the work-related activity group, New Style ESA is usually limited to 12 months. If you are placed in the support group, it can continue for as long as you meet the conditions. This difference matters, so it is worth understanding which group you are in and what it means for how long your payments will last, and getting advice if your support group placement is not what you expected.

How pensions affect it

While your income and savings do not affect New Style ESA, a personal or occupational pension can. If you receive a pension of more than £85 a week, half of the amount above that is taken off your ESA. If your pension is high enough, this can reduce your ESA to nothing. This is one of the few ways your other money affects the benefit, so it is worth knowing about if you have a pension in payment.

Claiming it with Universal Credit

You can claim New Style ESA and Universal Credit at the same time. New Style ESA counts as income for Universal Credit, so it reduces your Universal Credit pound for pound, but claiming both can still be worthwhile, particularly because New Style ESA brings National Insurance credits and is not affected by your savings or partner's income. An adviser can help you work out the best combination for your situation.

How to claim

You claim New Style ESA online or by phone through the DWP, and you will need details of your National Insurance contributions, your health condition, and a fit note from a healthcare professional. After you claim, you usually have a phone appointment, and you keep providing fit notes until your Work Capability Assessment has been completed. Claiming promptly, with your fit note ready, helps your payments start as soon as possible.

National Insurance credits

As well as the payment, New Style ESA gives you Class 1 National Insurance credits, which count towards your State Pension and other contributory benefits. This protects your record during the time you are unable to work, which is valuable in the long run. Even where the payment is reduced, for example by a pension, the National Insurance credits can make claiming worthwhile, so it is worth keeping your claim in place.

Permitted work

While on New Style ESA, you may be able to do some limited work, known as permitted work, without losing your benefit, as long as you stay within set limits on hours and earnings and tell the DWP. This can help you stay connected to work and test whether you are able to manage some activity. If you are thinking about trying some work, check the permitted work rules first, so you do not affect your ESA unexpectedly.

Is it taxable?

New Style ESA is taxable, so it counts as income for tax purposes, although many people who receive it do not have enough income overall to pay tax. If you have other income, it is worth being aware that your ESA forms part of your taxable income for the year. This is another reason to keep a record of what you receive, so your tax position is clear if you need it.

If you do not qualify

If you cannot get New Style ESA because your National Insurance record falls short, perhaps because you have not worked recently or were self-employed without paying enough contributions, you may still be able to get help through Universal Credit, which can include extra amounts for limited capability for work. So being turned down for New Style ESA does not mean there is no support, and it is worth getting a benefits check to see what else you can claim while your health limits your work.

In short

New Style ESA is a benefit for people whose health limits their work, based on your National Insurance record rather than your income or savings. In 2026/27 the assessment rate is around £95.55 a week for those 25 and over, rising to up to £145.90 in the support group. There is a 13-week assessment phase and a Work Capability Assessment, and you can claim it alongside Universal Credit.

Keep your fit notes going

While you are claiming New Style ESA, particularly during the assessment phase, you usually need to keep providing fit notes without gaps until your Work Capability Assessment is completed. Make sure each fit note follows on from the last, and send them in promptly, so there is no break in your evidence. Keeping your fit notes up to date is a simple but important way to make sure your ESA continues without interruption.

Where to get help

Citizens Advice can help you claim New Style ESA and prepare for the assessment. See our guides to the Work Capability Assessment and Statutory Sick Pay.