Employment Support Allowance (ESA) changes

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) is the new benefit paid to people whose ability to work is limited due to ill health or disability. From the 27th of October, 2008 it replaced both Incapacity Benefit (IB) and Income Support (IS), paid on the grounds of incapacity for work.

If you are already claiming Incapacity Benefit (IB) or Income Support (IS) you will continue to receive your benefit for the immediate future, provided you continue to satisfy the rules of entitlement. However, the Government has announced that between 2009 and 2013 it will be re-assessing all existing Income Support (IS) and Incapacity Benefit (IB) claimants, and only claimants satisfying the new entitlement rules will be transferred to ESA. In general, ESA assessments are much tougher than the old assessment system for Incapacity benefit (IB) or Income Support (IS).

One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) is keen to hear about customers' experiences (good or bad) of claiming, or being assessed for Employment Support Allowance (ESA).

If you have any comments or enquiries relating to Employment Support Allowance (ESA), please e-mail us on info@opfs.org.uk - or phone our free helpline number on 0808 801 0323.