Claiming new style ESA

You’ll need to show that your medical condition makes it difficult to work – this is called 'limited capability for work'. If you haven’t already, ask your GP for proof you’ve got limited capability for work. This is called a 'fit note'. If your GP won’t give you a fit note, get help from your nearest Citizens Advice.

If the DWP accepts your claim, you’ll usually get your first ESA payment a few weeks after you apply.

Make your claim

Because of coronavirus, you have to apply for new style ESA online or by phone.

You’ll need to do this even if you’re on Universal Credit. You can’t apply for ESA through your Universal Credit online account anymore. 

You can apply online for new style ESA on GOV.UK. You’ll be asked some questions first to make sure you’re eligible. If you are, you’ll be asked to fill in an online form. 

When you apply you’ll need:

• your National Insurance number
• your bank or building society account number and sort code - if you don’t have a bank account you can use the payment exception service on GOV.UK
• your GP’s name, address and telephone number
• details of your income if you’re working
• the date your SSP ends if you’re claiming it

You’ll need to apply by phone if you’re an ‘appointee’ which means you’re applying on behalf of someone else. If you can’t use online forms you can also apply over the phone. You need to call the DWP's Universal Credit helpline to apply for new style ESA.

When you call the DWP they might tell you to claim Universal Credit too - you don’t need to do this to claim new style ESA. If you want to understand what benefits you can get before you call the DWP you can use a benefits calculator.

Don’t feel pressured by the DWP into applying for something you’re not sure about - if you don’t want to claim Universal Credit tell them you only want to claim new style ESA.

Universal Credit helpline
Telephone: 0800 328 5644
Textphone: 0800 328 1344
Telephone (Welsh language): 0800 012 1888
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Calls are free from mobiles and landlines.

After you've applied

The DWP will contact you by phone or letter to tell you what will happen next. All face to face interviews have been cancelled because of coronavirus. You might still need to have an interview on the phone.

If the DWP refuse your claim

The DWP should tell you why your claim was unsuccessful. If you think the decision is wrong, you can challenge the decision.

If your claim is successful

The DWP will usually start paying you ESA straight away. You can check how much ESA you’ll get.

The DWP will usually pay up to 3 months ESA to cover time when you had limited capability for work before you applied. This is called 'backdating'.

You won’t usually get ESA to cover the first 7 days you had limited capability for work. These are called 'waiting days'.

Check the end date on your fit note. Before the end date, get a new fit note from your GP and send it to your local Jobcentre Plus. You can find the address of your local Jobcentre Plus on GOV.UK.

At some point in the next few months the DWP will send you a form called the 'capability for work questionnaire' or 'ESA50'. You’ll need to complete this to keep getting ESA – check how to complete the ESA50 form.