DWP confirms people with one of 23 medical conditions could qualify for payment

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a warning that people could be missing out on financial support. The DWP currently provides Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to around 1.7 million people across the UK.

The benefit aims to help with extra costs if you have a disability or health condition that limits your ability to work. You can apply for 'new-style' ESA if you are under state pension age, have a disability or health condition that affects your capacity to work, and have either been employed or self-employed and paid sufficient National Insurance contributions, typically in the last two to three years.

New-style ESA cannot be claimed alongside Jobseeker's Allowance or statutory sick pay, although it can be claimed concurrently with Universal Credit (UC). However, if you receive both benefits, your UC payment will be reduced by the amount you get forthe new-style ESA.

READ MORE: DWP warns PIP claimants about 12 reasons that could cut their benefits

READ MORE: DWP warns you could be missing out on £518 payment

There are a range of conditions that could make you eligible for ESA. Below is everything you need to know about ESA, including how much you could receive, which health conditions qualify, and how to claim the money, reports Wales Online.

How do I apply for ESA and which conditions qualify?

You can submit your application for ESA online or by calling 0800 055 6688. You will need the following information for the application:

• your National Insurance number

• your bank or building society account number and sort code (you can use a friend or family member’s account if you do not have one)

• your doctor’s name, address, and telephone number

• a fit note (sometimes called a ‘sick note’ or a ‘statement of fitness for work’) if you’ve not been able to work for more than seven days in a row because of a disability or health condition

• details of your income if you’re working

• the date your statutory sick pay (SSP) ends if you’re claiming it

After submitting your application, you will be contacted via phone with instructions on where and when to provide the necessary evidence. During the assessment of your claim, which typically lasts 13 weeks, you'll usually receive the 'assessment rate', which will be:

• up to £67.20 a week if you’re aged under 25

• up to £84.80 a week if you’re aged 25 or over

If the evaluation of your claim goes beyond 13 weeks, you'll continue to receive the 'assessment rate' until a decision is reached or your ESA expires. After the assessment, if you're deemed eligible for ESA, you'll be classified into one of two groups.

If there's potential for future employment, you'll be placed in the work-related activity group. Otherwise, you'll be allocated to the support group.

• up to £84.80 a week if you’re in the work-related activity group

• up to £129.50 a week if you’re in the support group

ESA payments are made every two weeks, so if you're in the support group, this equates to £518 per month. If you're part of the support group and receive income-related ESA, you may also qualify for the enhanced disability premium and you could also be eligible for the severe disability premium.

Which medical conditions qualify for ESA?

According to DWP data, there are 23 categories of medical conditions that could potentially make you eligible for ESA, including:

• Certain infectious and parasitic diseases

• Neoplasms

• Diseases of the blood and blood forming organs and certain diseases involving the immune mechanism

• Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic diseases

• Mental and behavioural disorders

• Diseases of the nervous system

• Diseases of the eye and adnexa

• Diseases of the ear and mastoid process

• Diseases of the circulatory system

• Diseases of the respiratory system

• Diseases of the digestive system

• Diseases of the skin and subcutaneous system

• Disease of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue

• Diseases of the genito-urinary system

• Pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium

• Certain conditions originating in the perinatal period

• Congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities

• Symptoms, signs, and abnormal clinical and laboratory findings not elsewhere classified

• Injury, poisoning, and certain other consequences of external causes

• External causes of morbidity and mortality

• Factors influencing health status and contact with health services

• Codes for special purposes

• Unknown or claimants without diagnosis on the system

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