Legacy benefits remain critically relevant in 2026/27 because managed migration to Universal Credit is still actively underway. Hundreds of thousands of ESA, JSA, and Income Support claimants have either received a migration notice or will do so in the coming months. Understanding your current entitlement, the group or category you are placed in, and how migration timing affects cashflow is essential before making any changes.
This hub covers ESA and JSA eligibility, rates, work capability assessment groups, permitted work rules, and what to do when a migration notice arrives. For the full Universal Credit calculation and UC-specific rules, use the Universal Credit hub.
ESA and JSA Key Rates — 2026/27
| Benefit | Under 25 | 25 and over |
|---|---|---|
| ESA — Assessment phase | £71.70/week | £90.50/week |
| ESA — Work-Related Activity Group (WRAG) | £71.70/week | £90.50/week |
| ESA — Support Group (total) | £90.50 + £48.95 = £139.45/week | £90.50 + £48.95 = £139.45/week |
| New Style JSA | £71.70/week | £90.50/week |
Support Group monthly equivalent (25+): approximately £604.95/month
What Counts as a Legacy Benefit
The main legacy benefits being replaced by Universal Credit are:
| Benefit | What it covered | UC equivalent element |
|---|---|---|
| Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) | Income for those with health conditions or disability | Standard allowance + LCWRA or LCW element |
| Income-related JSA | Income support for job-seekers | Standard allowance |
| Income Support | Income for carers, lone parents, disabled people | Equivalent UC elements |
| Housing Benefit | Rent support | UC housing costs element |
| Child Tax Credit | Support for children | UC child element |
| Working Tax Credit | Support for low-income workers | UC (earnings taper replaces this) |
Contribution-based ESA and New Style JSA will also eventually migrate, but they continue to exist alongside UC as they are funded through National Insurance records rather than means-testing.
ESA Work Capability Assessment Groups
The Work Capability Assessment (WCA) determines which ESA group you are placed in. This is arguably more important than the headline rate because it determines your obligations.
| ESA group | Work-related requirements | Financial impact |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment phase (first 13 weeks) | None | £71.70–£90.50/week |
| Work-Related Activity Group (WRAG) | Attend work preparation activities, meet with work coach | £71.70–£90.50/week |
| Support Group | None | £139.45/week (Support Component added) |
Key distinction: Support Group claimants have a limited capability for work and work-related activity. WRAG claimants have a limited capability for work only. Getting placed in the wrong group is one of the most financially significant DWP decisions a claimant faces — challenging a WRAG placement through mandatory reconsideration and appeal is often worthwhile if the evidence supports Support Group criteria.
Permitted Work Rules — What You Can Earn on ESA
Many claimants do not realise they can earn a limited amount while on ESA without losing entitlement:
| Permitted work type | Earnings limit | Hours limit |
|---|---|---|
| Permitted work lower limit | £20/week | Any hours |
| Permitted work higher limit | £183.50/week | Under 16 hours/week |
| Supported permitted work | Any amount | Unlimited (if in supported employment) |
Permitted work must be reported to the DWP. Breaching the hours or earnings limits without notifying the DWP can trigger overpayment recovery.
Worked Example — ESA vs UC for a Support Group Claimant
Scenario: Mark, 38, is single with no dependants and placed in the ESA Support Group. He rents privately and pays £800/month in rent.
On ESA + Housing Benefit:
- ESA Support Group: £139.45/week = approximately £605/month
- Housing Benefit (assumed full LHA coverage): £800/month
- Total monthly income: approximately £1,405
On UC with LCWRA + Housing Costs element:
- UC Standard Allowance (25+): £400.14/month
- LCWRA element: £416.19/month
- Housing Costs element (assumed full LHA): £800/month
- Total monthly income: £1,616.33
In this scenario UC is significantly higher. However, the UC calculation depends on exact rent, any savings, and other income. Always model your individual position before choosing to claim UC or accepting a migration notice deadline.
Managed Migration — What to Expect
Managed migration is the formal DWP process for moving remaining legacy benefit claimants onto UC. Key points:
| Migration step | Timeline | Action required |
|---|---|---|
| Migration notice issued | DWP writes to you | Note the deadline date — usually 3 months |
| Claim UC within deadline | Before deadline | Claim UC at gov.uk/apply-universal-credit |
| Transitional element applied | At first UC payment | If UC is lower than legacy entitlement |
| Transitional protection eroded | Over time | As UC rates increase, the element reduces |
Critically: if you do not claim UC before the migration deadline, your legacy benefits stop and the transitional protection is lost. You cannot reclaim it retrospectively.
Pre-Migration Checklist
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Confirm notice type and deadline | Deadlines are firm |
| Gather income, rent, and savings evidence | UC calculation accuracy |
| Map UC assessment period to your pay dates | First payment is 5 weeks after claim — budget for this gap |
| Check health evidence continuity | Ensure WCA outcome is replicated in UC |
| Model your UC entitlement first | Use EntitledTo or Turn2Us calculator |
UC Rates for Health Conditions — For Comparison
When planning a migration, understanding the UC equivalent elements helps:
| UC element | Monthly amount |
|---|---|
| Standard allowance (single 25+) | £400.14 |
| LCWRA element (equivalent to Support Group) | £416.19 |
| Total (single 25+ with LCWRA) | £816.33 |
| LCW element (equivalent to WRAG) | £0 for new claims after April 2017 |
The LCW element was removed for new UC claims from April 2017. Existing claimants who have been on UC continuously since before that date may still receive it.
JSA — When It Still Makes Sense
New Style JSA can be claimed by recently unemployed people who have an NI contribution record. It pays £90.50/week (25+) and is available for up to 182 days (approximately 6 months).
Reasons to claim New Style JSA alongside UC:
- UC has a 5-week waiting period before first payment; JSA can bridge this gap if eligible
- Claiming JSA alongside UC is allowed — JSA reduces UC pound for pound, but you receive money faster
- JSA preserves NI contribution credits for your State Pension record
Related Hubs
- Universal Credit hub — full UC guide including calculation
- PIP and disability benefits hub — disability additions and PIP interaction with UC
- Benefits for older people — Pension Credit and related support