Employment and Support Allowance - rates

The amount of Employment and Support Allowance you get paid depends on your circumstances. There are several things that will be taken into consideration.

Employment and Support Allowance rates

Weekly rate during the assessment phase

The assessment phase rate is paid for the first 13 weeks of your claim while a decision is made on your capability for work through the Work Capability Assessment.

• a single person aged under 25: up to £53.45
• a single person aged 25 and over: up to £67.50

Weekly rate during the main phase

The main phase starts from week 14 of your claim, if the Work Capability Assessment shows that your illness or disability does limit your ability to work.

• a single person in the Work Related Activity Group: up to £94.25
• a single person in the Support Group: up to £99.85

In most cases you will not get any money for the first three days of your claim. These are called 'waiting days'.

Depending on your circumstances you may be able to get more money if you get income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

You can only get extra money for your husband, wife or civil partner if you get income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

Pension income rules

If you receive contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance and have a gross pension income of more than £85 a week, the amount of benefit payable will be reduced by half of the excess.

The excess is the difference between £85 and the actual pension income. For example, for a pension income of £100, the excess is £15. The amount of Employment and Support Allowance payable is reduced by half of that, which is £7.50.

If you receive income-related Employment and Support Allowance, any pension income you have will be taken into account, regardless of the amount.

Income Tax

Income Tax will not be taken from income-related Employment and Support Allowance. There are some other cases where no Income Tax will be taken, for example if you are getting an occupational pension.

Contribution-based Employment Support Allowance is taxable. Tax may be paid on it from the start of an award. You will get a letter that tells you how much tax you will have to pay, if any. The amount of tax depends on your tax code.

• Tax codes (money, tax and benefits section)

How it's paid

Employment and Support Allowance is usually paid into your bank, building society, Post Office or National Savings account - any account that accepts Direct Payment.

What to do if your circumstances change

It's important to contact the Employment and Support Allowance Centre if your circumstances change. For example if:

• you do any work, including voluntary work
• you start training and get a training allowance
• you change your address
• you have been in hospital for 52 weeks and part of your benefit is paid for someone else
• you go abroad

You can contact the Employment and Support Allowance Centre by telephone - the number will be on letters sent to you.