What is main phase employment and support allowance (ESA)?
At the end of the assessment phase of ESA a decision will be made about your eligibility for ESA.
If you have failed the work capability assessment (WCA) you can appeal and, in some cases, you may be able to continue receiving ESA at the assessment phase rate whilst your appeal is being decided.
If you have passed the WCA you will move into the main phase as a member of either the work-related activity group or the support group
What do I get paid in the main phase of employment and support allowance (ESA)?
In the main phase you get paid a basic personal allowance. If you are over 25 or receiving income-related ESA as part of a couple, this will be the same amount as you received during the assessment phase. If you are a single person aged under 25, the amount you will receive will increase to the same amount as someone over 25.
Following your WCA, you will be placed in either the work-related activity group or the support group. If you are placed in the support group, you will receive an extra amount of benefit called the ‘support component’. If you are in the work-related activity group, whether or not you receive any additional money will depend on when your ESA claim started. In most cases, you can only receive an additional payment, known as the ‘work-related activity’ component if your ESA claim started before 3 April 2017.
Will I get tested again once I'm in the main phase of employment and support allowance (ESA)?
Yes, everyone has their claim reviewed regularly. How often this happens will depend on the recommendation of the HAAS health care professional who carried out your medical, if you had one, or reviewed the evidence about you if you didn't. When your claim is reviewed, you may not be asked to complete any further paperwork or attend a medical – it could simply be checked on paper. Other people may be asked to complete another ESA50 form and attend a Work Capability Assessment.
How long can I stay in the main phase of employment and support allowance (ESA)?
You can only receive contributory ESA or New Style ESA in the work-related activity group for a maximum of 365 days. This includes the time spent in the assessment phase. When your ESA payments end, you can continue your claim as a ‘credit only’ claim, meaning you do not receive any money but will still receive National Insurance credits to help you qualify for other benefits, such as your state pension.
If you receive contributory or New Style ESA and are in the support group, this does not count towards the 365-day time limit and so you can continue to receive ESA, providing you continue to meet the eligibility criteria.
If you receive contributory (not New Style) ESA and your income is low, you may be entitled to income-related ESA and should seek advice on this or contact ESA and ask to complete an ESA3 form. This option will be time limited, as people receiving IR-ESA will be asked to migrate to Universal Credit by the end of 2025.
