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Last checked: 2 July 2026
Editorial note: This guide covers Employment and Support Allowance rules in England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has separate ESA guidance and administrative arrangements.
This article provides general information and is not personalised welfare-rights or legal advice. Benefit entitlement depends on individual circumstances.
Claimants should check their ESA decision letter and contact the DWP or an independent benefits adviser before changing or ending a claim.
What Happens If I Am Put in the Support Group for ESA?
If you are placed in the Employment and Support Allowance Support Group, the Department for Work and Pensions has decided that you are not currently expected to work or prepare for work because of how your health condition or disability affects you.
You will normally receive a higher ESA rate, you will not have to attend compulsory work-focused interviews, and there is no fixed time limit on New Style or contribution-based ESA while you remain in the Support Group and continue to meet the eligibility rules.
However, being placed in the Support Group does not always mean that an award is permanent. Some people may be reviewed again, and claimants must continue to report relevant changes in their circumstances.
Quick Answer: What Happens When You Enter the ESA Support Group?
Being placed in the ESA Support Group normally means:
- You can receive up to £145.90 per week under the 2026/27 rates.
- ESA is normally paid every two weeks.
- You are not required to look for work or undertake compulsory work-related activities.
- New Style or contribution-based ESA has no fixed 365-day limit while you remain in the Support Group.
- You may still be able to undertake permitted work.
- You may be reassessed unless the DWP decides that you meet the Severe Conditions criteria.
- You must report changes involving your health, work, income, address or other relevant circumstances.
The exact amount and conditions applying to your claim will be shown in your ESA decision letter.
How Much Will I Receive in the ESA Support Group?
For the 2026/27 benefit year, the maximum ESA Support Group rate is £145.90 per week. ESA is normally paid directly into a bank, building society or credit union account every two weeks.
During the assessment stage, a claimant normally receives the assessment rate for the first 13 weeks.
The maximum assessment rates are:
| Claimant’s age | Maximum weekly assessment rate |
| Under 25 | £75.65 |
| Aged 25 or over | £95.55 |
| ESA Support Group after assessment | £145.90 |
If the Work Capability Assessment takes longer than 13 weeks and the claimant is subsequently placed in the Support Group, their ESA may be backdated where additional money is owed from after the assessment period.
The amount received can be lower in some circumstances. For example, New Style ESA can be reduced where someone receives more than £85 per week from a private or occupational pension. Half of the pension income above £85 is normally deducted from the weekly ESA payment.
Rates usually change each April, so claimants should check the latest GOV.UK figures rather than relying on an older decision or article.
Will I Have to Look for Work or Attend Work-Focused Interviews?
A person in the ESA Support Group is not required to look for a job, write a CV or undertake compulsory work-related activity as a condition of receiving ESA.
Support Group claimants do not normally have to attend regular work-focused interviews. They may choose to speak to a work coach or participate voluntarily in employment support if they believe it would be helpful, but this is not compulsory.
The DWP also states that a person in the Support Group will not receive an ESA sanction for failing to participate in work-related activity.
Being exempt from work-related requirements does not mean that a claimant is legally prohibited from working. Limited paid work may be possible under the permitted-work rules, which are explained later in this guide.
How Long Can I Remain in the ESA Support Group?
There is no fixed time limit on New Style or contribution-based ESA while a person remains in the Support Group. This differs from the work-related activity group, where New Style and contribution-based ESA are normally limited to 365 days.
However, having no fixed time limit does not mean that the award is guaranteed for life. ESA can continue only while the person remains eligible. Entitlement could change following a reassessment, a change in circumstances or a failure to provide information requested by the DWP.
Claimants should read their decision letter carefully because it may provide information about their award and any possible future review. They must also continue to report relevant changes and provide fit notes if the DWP tells them these are still required.
Can I Claim Other Benefits While Receiving Support Group ESA?
Being placed in the ESA Support Group does not automatically qualify someone for every disability-related benefit. Each benefit has separate eligibility rules.
A claimant may be able to receive Personal Independence Payment alongside ESA if their condition affects their daily living or mobility and they meet the PIP eligibility requirements. A Support Group decision does not automatically result in a PIP award, and a PIP decision does not automatically place someone in the ESA Support Group.
Some people may also qualify for Universal Credit at the same time as New Style ESA. However, when both benefits are paid, the Universal Credit award is normally reduced by the amount of New Style ESA received.
New Style ESA can still provide Class 1 National Insurance credits, which can help protect the claimant’s State Pension record.
The Enhanced Disability Premium should not be presented as a standard additional payment for New Style ESA. It applied to income-related ESA. Most income-related ESA claims have now been replaced by Universal Credit, although limited transitional cases may still require individual advice.
Because entitlement depends on income, savings, National Insurance contributions, household circumstances and other benefits, claimants should use an independent benefits calculator or speak to a qualified benefits adviser.
Will I Be Reassessed After Entering the ESA Support Group?
Some people in the Support Group may have another Work Capability Assessment in the future, but it is incorrect to say that every claimant will be reassessed regularly.
The DWP decides whether and when another assessment may be required based on the claimant’s functional limitations, medical evidence and the expected long-term effects of their condition.
A claimant may not need routine repeat assessments if their Work Capability Assessment finds that they:
- Have a severe, lifelong disability, illness or health condition; and
- Are unlikely ever to be able to move into work.
These are commonly called the Severe Conditions criteria. The DWP should tell the claimant if it has decided that they will not need further routine reassessments.
Claimants who do not meet these criteria may still be reviewed. The timing varies, so they should rely on correspondence from the DWP rather than assuming that their award is either permanent or subject to a fixed annual review.
Can I Work While I Am in the ESA Support Group?
A person may usually undertake permitted work while receiving ESA, including while they are in the Support Group.
Under the current permitted-work limits, a claimant can normally:
- Work for fewer than 16 hours per week.
- Earn no more than £203.50 per week after tax and National Insurance.
- Continue receiving their normal ESA, provided all other conditions are met.
There is no fixed number of weeks for which permitted work can continue. A person can also undertake voluntary work for any number of hours, although the work should still be reported.
Before beginning paid work, an existing ESA claimant should complete the ESA permitted-work form and send it to Jobcentre Plus. Paid work, self-employment and volunteering should not be concealed from the DWP.
The permitted-work rules can be complex where hours or earnings vary. Claimants should obtain advice before starting work if they are uncertain about how it could affect their ESA or Universal Credit.
What Changes Must Be Reported to the DWP?
Being in the Support Group does not remove the obligation to report changes in circumstances.
A claimant should tell Jobcentre Plus promptly about relevant changes, including:
- A change in their health condition or disability.
- Going into hospital, a care home or sheltered accommodation.
- Starting or stopping paid work, self-employment or voluntary work.
- Working different hours or receiving different earnings.
- Starting or stopping education, training or an apprenticeship.
- Moving home or changing contact or bank details.
- Going abroad for any period.
- Starting or stopping a pension or receiving a different pension amount.
- Starting or stopping another benefit.
- Changes involving a partner or another person living in the household.
The complete list depends partly on the type of ESA being received. If a claimant receives Universal Credit alongside New Style ESA, they may also need to report the change through their Universal Credit account.
A failure to report a relevant change can result in an incorrect payment, suspension or reduction of the claim. Any overpayment may have to be repaid.
Is ESA Support Group Exempt From the Benefit Cap?
The benefit cap limits the total amount of certain benefits that some working-age households can receive. However, the cap does not apply where the claimant is in the ESA Support Group.
This exemption should not be described as an additional ESA payment. Instead, it means that the household’s affected benefits should not be reduced solely because its total benefit income exceeds the normal benefit-cap limit.
Other changes can still affect the amount received. For example, entitlement may change because of income, pension payments, overlapping benefits or a change in household circumstances.
What Changed to Income-Related ESA in June 2026?
New claims for income-related ESA have not been available for several years because it has been replaced by Universal Credit.
The DWP set 30 June 2026 as the closure date for the remaining income-related ESA claims under the Move to Universal Credit programme. Approximately 500 particularly vulnerable claimants who needed additional help establishing a personal or corporate appointee were temporarily exempted from that deadline.
This closure does not mean that New Style ESA has ended. New Style ESA remains available to eligible people who have paid or been credited with sufficient National Insurance contributions.
Anyone who has received a Migration Notice should follow the deadline printed in that letter. Claiming Universal Credit before receiving a Migration Notice or without first obtaining advice can affect transitional protection, so a claimant should not end an existing benefit claim based only on general online information.
What Should I Do If I Disagree With an ESA Decision?
A claimant should first read the decision letter carefully. It should explain whether they have been placed in the Support Group, placed in the work-related activity group or found capable of work.
If the claimant believes that the decision is wrong, they can normally ask the DWP to reconsider it. This is called a mandatory reconsideration.
A mandatory reconsideration usually needs to be requested within one month of the date on the decision letter. The claimant should explain which part of the decision is wrong, why it is wrong and provide relevant medical or other supporting evidence where possible.
A late request may sometimes be accepted where there is a good reason for the delay, such as a hospital admission or bereavement. If the decision is not changed after mandatory reconsideration, the claimant may normally appeal to an independent tribunal.
Because appeal rules and deadlines are important, claimants should consider obtaining assistance from Citizens Advice, a local welfare-rights service or another qualified benefits adviser.
Conclusion
Being placed in the ESA Support Group means that the DWP has decided that a claimant is not currently expected to work or prepare for work because of the effect of their health condition or disability.
The claimant can receive up to £145.90 per week under the 2026/27 rates and will normally be paid every two weeks. They do not have to attend compulsory work-focused interviews, and New Style or contribution-based ESA is not restricted to the 365-day limit that applies to the work-related activity group.
However, Support Group entitlement should not be described as automatically permanent. Some claimants may be reviewed, and everyone must report relevant changes. Claimants may also undertake permitted work within the applicable hours and earnings limits.
Because ESA, Universal Credit, PIP and transitional protection have different eligibility rules, anyone considering changing a claim should check their decision letter and seek individual advice where necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is ESA Support Group paid?
ESA is normally paid every two weeks into the claimant’s bank, building society or credit union account. The decision letter should show the payment amount and payment arrangements.
Can someone in the ESA Support Group be sanctioned?
A claimant in the Support Group should not receive an ESA sanction for failing to undertake work-related activity. They must still provide required information and report relevant changes.
Can the DWP remove someone from the Support Group?
Yes. A claimant’s position can change if a later assessment finds that they no longer meet the Support Group criteria or if another eligibility condition changes. The claimant can challenge a decision they believe is incorrect.
Does being in the Support Group automatically qualify someone for PIP?
No. ESA and PIP have separate eligibility rules and assessment processes. A person may receive both, but a Support Group decision does not automatically produce a PIP award.
Can someone volunteer while receiving Support Group ESA?
Yes. GOV.UK states that an ESA claimant can undertake voluntary work for any number of hours. The work should still be reported to Jobcentre Plus.
Can someone receive Universal Credit and New Style ESA together?
Some claimants can receive both. However, their Universal Credit payment is normally reduced by the amount of New Style ESA they receive.
Is ESA Support Group a permanent award?
Not necessarily. There is no fixed time limit on New Style or contribution-based ESA while someone remains in the Support Group, but they must remain eligible. Some people may be reassessed, while those meeting the Severe Conditions criteria may not require routine repeat assessments.
How We Checked This Information?
This guide was last fact-checked on 2 July 2026 using current information published by the UK Government and the Department for Work and Pensions.
We checked the official guidance covering:
- ESA Support Group payment rates for 2026/27.
- How often ESA is paid.
- The duration of New Style ESA in the Support Group.
- Work-focused interview requirements.
- Permitted-work hours and earnings limits.
- Changes of circumstances that must be reported.
- New Style ESA claims alongside Universal Credit.
- Disability premiums for legacy income-related ESA.
Benefit rules and payment rates can change. Readers should check their most recent DWP decision letter and the latest GOV.UK guidance before making a financial or benefit-related decision.
Official Sources
Employment and Support Allowance overview
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance
ESA eligibility rules
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/eligibility
Current ESA payment rates and benefit-cap information
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/what-youll-get
What happens during and after an ESA claim
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/your-esa-claim
Working while receiving ESA
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/working-while-you-claim
Official permitted-work factsheet
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment-and-support-allowance-permitted-work-form/permitted-work-factsheet
ESA permitted-work form
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/employment-and-support-allowance-permitted-work-form
