Benefits for working age people who are ill or disabled
Which benefits you can claim depends on your circumstances. Most people on a low income will claim Universal Credit, but you might also be able to claim Employment Support Allowance (ESA) or Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
Universal Credit
You can apply for Universal Credit whether you're employed, self-employed or unemployed.
Find out about Universal Credit, including how to apply for it.
Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
New style Employment Support Allowance
To get new style Employment Support Allowance you must have:
- an illness or disability that affects your ability to work
- been an employee or self-employed and paid National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 or 3 years
You should also check if you can claim Universal Credit. You could get Universal Credit at the same time or instead of the new style Employment Support Allowance .
You can find out about new style Employment Support Allowance Go to https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/types-of-esa#new-style-esa (opens new window), including how to claim, on GOV.UK.
Income based Employment Support Allowance
You can no longer make a new claim for income based Employment Support Allowance and must claim Universal Credit instead.
If you already receive income based Employment Support Allowance , you'll carry on getting it but you will be asked to claim Universal Credit instead in the near future. If your circumstances change you might have to claim Universal Credit instead before then.
You can find out about income based Employment Support Allowance Go to https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/types-of-esa#income-based-esa (opens new window) on GOV.UK.
Statutory Sick Pay
If you're an employee and unable to work because you're ill, you may be able to get Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). It's paid by your employer, for up to 28 weeks.