Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Claiming ESA if you鈥檙e nearing the end of life
If you鈥檙e nearing the end of life (for example, due to a life-limiting illness) you might be able to get Employment Support Allowance (ESA) more quickly and at a higher rate.听
This is sometimes called 鈥榮pecial rules for end of life鈥�.
You may be able to get other benefits if you鈥檙e nearing the end of life.
Eligibility
You鈥檙e usually eligible if:
- you鈥檙e under State Pension age
- you鈥檝e worked as an employee or have been self-employed
- you鈥檝e paid enough National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years
- your doctor or medical professional has said that you might have 12 months or less to live
It can be difficult to predict how long someone might live for. If a medical professional has not talked to you about this, you can still ask them to support your claim under the special rules for end of life.
You cannot get ESA if you claim Jobseeker鈥檚 Allowance (JSA) or Statutory Sick Pay
What you鈥檒l get
You鈥檒l normally get the 鈥榓ssessment rate鈥� while your claim is being assessed.听
This will be:
- up to 拢71.70 a week if you鈥檙e aged under 25
- up to 拢90.50 a week if you鈥檙e aged 25 or over
After you鈥檙e assessed, you鈥檒l get up to 拢138.20 a week. You may also be eligible for the disability premium.
You鈥檒l get paid ESA every 2 weeks.
How to claim
Ask a medical professional for form SR1. They鈥檒l either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Call the Jobcentre Plus new claims helpline if:
- you cannot make an application online
- you鈥檙e applying as an appointee on someone else鈥檚 behalf
Jobcentre Plus new claims helpline
Telephone: 0800 055 6688
Textphone: 0800 328 1344
(if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 055 6688
British Sign Language (BSL) if you鈥檙e on a computer - find out how to
Welsh language telephone: 0800 328 1744听听
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm听听
Find out about call charges听听
After you apply
DWP will contact you within 10 working days of applying.
You will not need to attend an appointment or make a Claimant Commitment.
If you already get ESA
Ask a medical professional for form SR1. They鈥檒l either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to DWP.
Report the change by calling Jobcentre Plus.
Jobcentre Plus听听
Telephone: 0800 169 0310
Textphone: 0800 169 0314
(if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310
British Sign Language (BSL) if you鈥檙e on a computer - find out how to
Welsh language: 0800 328 1744
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges听
If you get Universal Credit at the same time as ESA, you must also report the change in your Universal Credit account.