LRD guides and handbook April 2017

State benefits and tax credits 2017

Chapter 4

How much can you get? 



[ch 4: pages 50-51]

The assessment phase 



During the assessment phase you are paid a “basic allowance”. This is set at a similar level to that of JSA. If you are aged under 25 you will receive a reduced rate of this basic allowance. 



The reduction for under 25s does not apply once they have completed the assessment period.



Employment and Support Allowance

If you are on contribution-related ESA you will get:
under 25 £57.90 a week

age 25 and over £73.10
a week
If you are on income-based ESA the maximum you can get is:
single and under 25 £57.90 a week

single and age 25 and over £73.10 a week
lone parents age 18 and over £73.10 a week
couples age 18 and over £114.85 a week

After the assessment phase, you may receive one of two additional payments depending on whether you are placed in the Work-Related Activity Group (but this has stopped for new claims from April 2017) or the Support Group.



Work-Related Activity Group


If you were placed in the Work-Related Activity Group before April 2017 you receive a work-related activity component of £29.05 a week. This component has been abolished for new claims for ESA from April 2017 and comes on top of earlier cuts to ESA (see below).



Support Group


If you are placed in the Support Group, you receive a support component of £36.55 a week. If you are terminally ill, this component will be paid to you during the assessment phase. 



More information on claiming ESA can be found at: www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance