How much is ESA per week in 2026?

ESA basic allowance in 2026/27 is up to £90.50/week for those over 25 (or £71.70/week if under 25) during the assessment phase. After assessment, you receive either the Work-Related Activity Group rate (no enhancement above basic) or the Support Group rate (£90.50 + £47.85 enhancement = £138.35/week for over-25s). Amounts are slightly lower for 'new style' ESA.

What is the ESA Support Group rate 2026?

The ESA Support Group component is £47.85/week in 2026/27, added to your basic allowance. For someone aged 25+ in the Support Group, the total is £90.50 + £47.85 = £138.35/week. The Support Group is for those whose illness or disability severely limits their ability to work.

What's the difference between ESA WRAG and Support Group?

The Work-Related Activity Group (WRAG) receives only the basic allowance with no additional component (for claims starting after April 2017). The Support Group receives an extra £47.85/week component. Support Group claimants are not required to attend work-focused interviews or prepare for work. WRAG claimants have work-related requirements.

Can I get ESA and Universal Credit?

You cannot get income-related ESA if you're in a Universal Credit area (most of the UK). However, you can get 'new style' ESA (based on National Insurance contributions) alongside Universal Credit. The new style ESA is then taken into account as income when calculating your UC, reducing it pound for pound.

How long can you receive ESA?

Income-related ESA in the Support Group is indefinite (until circumstances change). Contributory/new style ESA in the WRAG is limited to 365 days. Contributory ESA in the Support Group is indefinite. After 365 days in WRAG, you'd need to claim other benefits (UC) unless you move to the Support Group.

Benefits & Support

ESA Rates 2026/27 — Employment and Support Allowance Amounts

Employment and Support Allowance rates for 2026/27. Covers new style ESA and contributory ESA rates, work-related activity group and support group amounts, and how ESA interacts with other benefits.

By PocketWise · 15 April 2026 · 3 min read Updated for 2026/27 tax year

Benefits information is based on current DWP and HMRC rules. Entitlements depend on your personal circumstances. For free personalised help, contact Citizens Advice or call the Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) provides financial support if you’re unable to work due to illness or disability. Here are the rates for 2026/27.

ESA Assessment Phase Rates 2026/27

During the assessment phase (first 13 weeks), you receive a basic allowance:

Age	Weekly Rate
Under 25	£71.70
25 or over	£90.50

ESA Main Phase Rates 2026/27

After assessment, you’re placed in either the Work-Related Activity Group (WRAG) or the Support Group.

Age	Weekly Rate
Under 25	£71.70
25 or over	£90.50

Note: The work-related activity component (previously £33.70/week) was removed for new claims from April 2017. WRAG claimants now receive only the basic allowance.

Support Group

Component	Weekly Rate
Basic allowance (25 or over)	£90.50
Support component	£47.85
Total	£138.35

Component	Weekly Rate
Basic allowance (under 25)	£71.70
Support component	£47.85
Total	£119.55

New Style ESA Rates 2026/27

New style ESA is based on your National Insurance contributions (not income/savings).

Phase	Under 25	25 or Over
Assessment phase (13 weeks)	£71.70	£90.50
WRAG (after assessment)	£71.70	£90.50
Support Group (after assessment)	£119.55	£138.35

New style ESA is:

Time-limited to 365 days if in WRAG (indefinite for Support Group)
Can be claimed alongside Universal Credit
Not affected by savings or partner’s income

ESA Premiums

Some claimants receive additional premiums on top of the basic rate:

Premium	Weekly Amount
Enhanced disability premium (single)	£20.85
Enhanced disability premium (couple)	£29.75
Severe disability premium (single, living alone)	£81.50
Carer premium	£45.60
Pensioner premium (single)	Various

Premiums only apply to income-related ESA (not new style ESA).

WRAG vs Support Group

	WRAG	Support Group
Basic rate	£90.50/week (25+)	£90.50/week (25+)
Component	£0 (removed for new claims)	£47.85/week
Total	£90.50/week	£138.35/week
Work requirements	Must attend interviews, prepare for work	No work requirements
Time limit (contributory)	365 days max	Indefinite
When placed here	Limited capability for work	Limited capability for work AND work-related activity

How Long Can You Get ESA?

ESA Type	WRAG	Support Group
Contributory/New Style	365 days max	Indefinite
Income-related	Indefinite (until circumstances change)	Indefinite

After 365 days in contributory WRAG, you’d typically need to claim Universal Credit instead.

ESA and Other Benefits

Universal Credit

You cannot get income-related ESA alongside UC
New style ESA can be claimed with UC, but the ESA amount is deducted from your UC
The UC “limited capability for work and work-related activity” element (£416.19/month) replaces the ESA Support Group for UC claimants

State Pension

Once you reach State Pension age, ESA stops. You’d claim State Pension instead (and possibly Pension Credit).

PIP

ESA and PIP are separate benefits. You can (and should) claim both if you’re eligible. PIP is not means-tested and doesn’t reduce your ESA.

National Insurance Credits

Receiving ESA gives you Class 1 National Insurance credits, protecting your State Pension.

How to Claim ESA

New style ESA: Apply online at GOV.UK/employment-support-allowance or call 0800 328 5644.

Income-related ESA: Not available for new claims in UC areas. Claim Universal Credit instead.

Rate History

Tax Year	Basic (25+)	Support Component	Total (Support Group)
2026/27	£90.50	£47.85	£138.35
2025/26	£90.50	£47.85	£138.35
2024/25	£90.50	£47.85	£138.35
2023/24	£84.80	£44.70	£129.50

Summary

	WRAG	Support Group
Basic allowance (25+)	£90.50/week	£90.50/week
Component	£0	£47.85/week
Total	£90.50/week	£138.35/week
Annual (Support Group, 25+)	—	£7,194.20
Time limit (contributory)	365 days	Indefinite