To qualify a person must be not working, and either satisfy the National Insurance contribution conditions (which are the same as those of Incapacity Benefit), or be a 'person incapacitated in youth'.

It is a phased benefit, whereby applicants start on an initial assessment phase of 13 weeks duration, during which a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) is carried out to determine whether or not they have limited capability for work.

The assessment phase may last longer than 13 weeks if a WCA is not completed by the end of it, or if a decision to refuse ESA is appealed. A lower rate is payable to those aged under 25 in this phase.

At the end of the assessment phase, on completion of the WCA, there are three possible outcomes:

• If the person is assessed as not having limited capability for work then ESA entitlement ceases. This decision can be appealed in the usual way.
• If the person is assessed as having limited capability for work (only), then they proceed to a work-related activity phase (a main phase), and are entitled to an additional component.
• If the person is assessed as having both limited capability for work and limited capability for work-related activity, then they proceed to a support phase (a main phase), and are entitled to an additional component. Only about 6% of applicants are expected to meet the conditions for this phase.

Claimants who are terminally ill do not have to 'serve out' the assessment phase but are instead fast-tracked to the support main phase.

The criteria used in a WCA are a mixture of documentary and medical evidence, varying with the circumstances of the applicant.

There are no additions for adult (or child) dependants in contribution-based ESA, the income-based form of ESA may provide an additional income top-up depending on the circumstances of the ESA claimant's family.

Further information