Help for Carers > Financial help, rights and benefits > Employment Support Allowance

Employment Support Allowance

In October 2008 Employment Support Allowance (ESA) was introduced, which will affect carers whose ability to work is limited by ill-health or disability.

From April 2012 contribution-based ESA will be limited to one year for people who are too ill to work but are required to undertake ‘work-related activity’.

What is ESA?

ESA will replace Incapacity Benefit and Income Support paid to people who are not well enough to work.

How is ESA different from Incapacity Benefit and Income Support?

There will be different assessments to look at how your ill-health or disability affects your ability to work. This will take up to 13 weeks, during which time you will receive a basic rate of ESA. After 13 weeks, people with the most severe health problems or disabilities will qualify for an additional payment called the Support Component.

There are people who can help:

www.direct.gov.uk - an introduction to ESA

West Sussex Carers Support Services will be able to help you check on the different assessments

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