Problems with ESA?
Do you need help making your way through the chaotic ESA system?
Is it vital that you get the correct decision?
Whether you are:
- making a claim
- being transferred from ESA to UC
- waiting for a face-to-face assessment (work capability assessment)
- asking for a mandatory reconsideration or
- lodging an appeal
our detailed and widely acclaimed guides, written by a barrister and a welfare rights worker, can make a dramatic difference.
ESA WRAG to Support Group success
"I would like to say a BIG thank you to this forum. Without the guides and tips I would not have been placed in the support group..."
Contact telephone numbers for claiming Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), contacting the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) or Northern Ireland ESA Centre about an existing ESA claim, and contacting Centre for Health and Disability Assessments (CHDA) about a Work Capability Assessment (WCA).
To make a new claim for New-Style ESA
Claims should be made online here: www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim
Telephone claims can be made by calling Jobcentre Plus if you cannot claim online or if you are an appointee:
UK (except Northern Ireland): 0800 055 6688
Textphone: 0800 023 1344
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 055 6688
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Welsh language telephone: 0800 328 1744
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
To claim ESA online in Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/claim-new-style-employment-and-support-allowance
Telephone claims in Northern Ireland:
Telephone: 0800 085 6318
Textphone: 0800 328 3419
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/employment-and-support-allowance-centre
To discuss an existing claim:
Jobcentre Plus for the UK (except Northern Ireland)
Telephone: 0800 169 0310
Textphone: 0800 169 0314
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Welsh language: 0800 328 1744
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/change-of-circumstances
ESA Service Centre Northern Ireland
Telephone: 0800 587 1377
Textphone: 0800 328 3419
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
www.nidirect.gov.uk/contacts/employment-and-support-allowance-centre
To contact the assessment provider about an ESA medical assessment:
There are now several different health assessment providers carrying out medical assessments on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). In a small number of selected postcodes, assessments are carried out directly by the DWP. Use this link to find out which provider covers your postcode area: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/find-your-health-assessment-provider
Below is a rough guide:
Northern England and Scotland – Maximus
Telephone: 0800 072 0120
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm
Post:
Customer Relations Team
Health Assessment Advisory Service
Room 4E04,
Quarry House,
Quarry Hill,
Leeds LS2 7UA
Midlands, Wales and Northern Ireland - Capita
0800 072 0222 (England and Wales)
0800 072 0226 (Welsh Line)
Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm
Text relay service
If you have speech or hearing difficulties, you can also use the text relay service on 18001 0800 072 0222 (use with NGT or Relay UK apps)
South West and South Central - Serco
Telephone: 0800 072 0257
Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 072 0257
Post:
PO Box 668
Bristol
BS34 8YU
South East, London and East Anglia – Ingeus
Telephone: 0800 072 0350
Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm
Text relay: Please dial 18001 followed by 0800 072 0350.
Post:
Freepost CUSTOMER SERVICE CENTRE
