Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
This family benefit replaces Income Support on grounds of disability or
incapacity for work, for new claims from 27th October 2008.
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.
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(s).
The means-test applied to a family in Income-based ESA is similar to
that of Income Support, but there is no provision for a Disability
Premium – instead either a Work-related activity component or a
Support component, but not both, is included in the Applicable Amount.
If the Support component is applicable, then an Enhanced Disability
Premium also applies.
Further information
ESA Resources