Universal Credit and other in-work benefits - a guide for union reps and workers (April 2019)

Chapter 4

New-style ESA

[ch 4: page 40]

To get new-style ESA you must have been an employee or self-employed and paid NICs, usually in the last two to three years. National insurance credits (see page 8) can also count. Your income and savings, and that of any partner, will not affect how much new-style ESA you are paid. If you are eligible to get UC, you could get it at the same time or instead of new-style ESA.

However, if you get both at the same time, your new-style ESA payment will be deducted from your UC payment, so you are not guaranteed to get any extra money.


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