Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is for people who cannot work due to illness or disability. If HMRC decides you have “limited capability for work,” you are placed in one of two groups — and the difference between them matters significantly for both the money you receive and the conditions attached.
Note: Since 2019, most new claimants are directed to Universal Credit (UC) rather than income-related ESA. New-style (contributory) ESA still exists for those with sufficient NI contributions. This guide covers both, focusing primarily on new-style ESA.
The Two ESA Groups
After a Work Capability Assessment (WCA), claimants are placed in one of two groups:
| Work-Related Activity Group (WRAG) | Support Group | |
|---|---|---|
| Payment (2026/27, over 25) | £92.05/week | £136.75/week |
| Work-related requirements | Yes — mandatory work-focused interviews, must take steps towards work | None — no work preparation required |
| Time limit (new-style) | 1 year | No time limit |
| Who this is for | Limited capability for work now, may be able to work with support | Limited capability for work-related activity — cannot be expected to prepare for work |
| Review frequency | Regular reassessment | Regular reassessment, but longer intervals for severe conditions |
The Work Capability Assessment (WCA)
Before being placed in either group, you undergo a WCA, usually conducted by a healthcare professional on behalf of the DWP (through contracted companies like Capita or Maximus — though DWP is bringing this in-house).
The WCA assesses two sets of descriptors:
- Limited capability for work (LCW) — activity descriptors: If you score 15+ points, you qualify for ESA at all (rather than being found “fit for work”)
- Limited capability for work-related activity (LCWRA) — support group descriptors: If you meet even one, you go straight to the Support Group
Support Group Descriptors (Key Examples)
You qualify for the Support Group if you meet any one of the following support group criteria:
| Descriptor | Example conditions |
|---|---|
| Risk to mental health if required to do work-related activity | Severe anxiety, PTSD, psychosis, severe depression with self-harm risk |
| Progressive neurological condition | Motor neurone disease, Huntington’s disease, progressive MS |
| Cancer receiving chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or intensive surgery | Active cancer treatment |
| Severe lower limb impairment (cannot walk 50m unaided) | Severe arthritis, limb loss, severe paralysis |
| Cannot mobilise without aid even when properly fitted prosthesis | Severe limb impairment |
| Severe functional mental illness — unable to self-care | Severe schizophrenia, severe bipolar with significant impact |
| Severe learning disability (unable to pass cognitive tests) | |
| Impaired consciousness due to a condition | Poorly controlled epilepsy |
| Breathlessness at minimal exertion | Severe COPD, severe heart failure |
This is not an exhaustive list — the full LCW and LCWRA descriptor tables are in HMRC’s ESA assessment guidance.
Work-Related Activity Group: What It Means
Being in the WRAG means you have:
- Limited capability for work — you cannot work now
- But some ability to prepare for eventual work, with support
Mandatory requirements in WRAG:
- Attend work-focused interviews with your work coach
- Agree to activities in your claimant commitment (e.g., CV building, training courses, voluntary work)
- Failure to comply can result in a sanction (reduction in payment)
The time limit: New-style (contributory) ESA in the WRAG is limited to 1 year. After 12 months, if you have not improved or moved to Universal Credit, you lose new-style ESA (unless your condition changes and you move to the Support Group mid-claim).
Support Group: What It Means
Being in the Support Group means:
- You are not expected to look for work or prepare for it
- You receive the additional Support Component (£44.70/week)
- No mandatory work-related requirements (though you can volunteer or access support if you wish)
- No time limit on new-style ESA in the Support Group (reassessed periodically)
The DWP may still invite you to voluntary Work Choice or Access to Work programmes — you cannot be sanctioned for not participating.
New-Style ESA vs Legacy ESA
| New-Style (Contributory) ESA | Legacy Income-Related ESA | |
|---|---|---|
| Based on NI contributions | Yes — need 2 qualifying contribution years | No — means-tested |
| Capital limit | None | £16,000 |
| Partner’s income counted | No | Yes |
| Available to new claimants? | Yes | No (closed to new claimants since 2019) |
| WRAG time limit | 1 year | No time limit (if on the old system) |
| Top-up premiums | No | Enhanced disability premium, severe disability premium available |
If you made sufficient NI contributions in the 2 tax years before the claim (typically the 2 full tax years before you fell ill), you can claim new-style ESA regardless of savings or a partner’s income.
ESA and Universal Credit
If you claim Universal Credit and are too ill to work:
- UC conducts its own Limited Capability for Work assessment (essentially the same WCA)
- If found to have Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) — equivalent to the Support Group — you receive the UC LCWRA element (£416.19/month in 2026/27 on top of standard allowance)
- If found to have Limited Capability for Work (LCW) — equivalent to WRAG — no additional UC element applies (from April 2017 for most new claimants)
- All new claimants who are unable to work should typically claim Universal Credit, which then triggers the WCA assessment process
Challenging a Wrong Group Decision
If you are placed in the WRAG but believe you should be in the Support Group:
- Request mandatory reconsideration within 1 month of the decision
- Get the assessment report — identify which support group descriptor should apply
- Gather additional evidence — GP letters, specialist letters, carer support letters
- If MR fails: appeal to First-tier Tribunal
- Get welfare rights advice — Citizens Advice, RNIB, Scope, Mind, or a local welfare rights service
2026/27 ESA Rates
| Rate | Weekly amount |
|---|---|
| Basic rate (WRAG and Support, assessment phase) | £92.05 |
| Work-Related Activity Component | £0 (removed from new claims April 2017) |
| Support Component | £44.70 |
| Support Group total (new-style) | £136.75 |
Legacy income-related ESA includes additional premiums that may give higher amounts. Check with Benefits Calculator at GOV.UK for your individual circumstances.