Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

On 27th October 2008, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) was introduced. If you are a carer whose ability to work is also limited by ill health or disability then check below to see how the changes to benefits might affect you.

What is Employment and Support Allowance?

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) has replaced Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid to people who are not well enough to work, but only for people making a new claim on or after 27th October 2008. Therefore, if you are currently getting Incapacity Benefit and/or
Income Support because you are a carer and not well enough to work, you will continue to do so for now.

How is ESA different from Incapacity Benefit and Income Support?

There will be a different assessment to look at how your ill health or disability affects your ability to work. This will take up to 13 weeks, during which time you will get a basic rate of ESA. After 13 weeks, those with the most severe disabilities or health problems will qualify for an additional payment called the support component. They will not have to take part in activities that may help them back into work unless they want to. The
majority of people who qualify for ESA will get an additional payment called the ‘work-related activity component’ instead. If you fall within this group, you will be required to take part in an assessment to look at the extent to which you still have some ability to work. You may also be asked to attend ‘workfocused interviews’ to talk about your work prospects, the steps you are willing to take to move into work, and the support that
can be provided to you. However, because you also have caring responsibilities these must be taken into account in deciding whether and/or when you need to go to a work-focused interview. See ‘Your rights as a carer’ below.

I get Income Support as a carer with an extra amount because I am not well enough to work. Do I have to claim ESA instead now?

No, if you are already getting Incapacity Benefit or Income Support on the grounds of incapacity for work before 27th October 2008, you will continue to receive it. You may need to claim ESA instead at some point in the future.

I was getting long term Incapacity Benefit before but I am now working. I may have to give up work again soon as my condition has got worse. Will I have to claim ESA instead?

You may be able to reclaim Incapacity Benefit at the same rate as before depending on your circumstances. For further advice ring CarersLine.

If I become unable to work because of illness after 27th October, can’t I carry on claiming Income Support as a carer? Do I have to claim ESA?

You can carry on claiming Income Support as a carer instead, but you will not be able to get the extra amount paid to people with a disability (the disability premium) on the basis of not being well enough to work. This would mean that you would be worse off on Income Support than if you claim ESA. However, you may still be able to claim the disability premium in Income Support if you get Disability Living Allowance or in some other cases. If you can still get the disability premium, it may be better for you to claim Income Support instead of ESA. For further advice ring CarersLine.

If I have to claim ESA, what will I do? I can’t attend work-focused interviews as I care full-time for my husband.

When deciding whether or not you should attend a work-focused interview, your caring responsibilities should be taken into account. You may be able to get interviews deferred (held at a later date) or ask for them to take place at your home.