DWP list of 23 health conditions that could get you £362 a month - check if you qualify

If you have one of the following health conditions, you may be able to get extra financial help from the Government.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) offers Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to millions of people. ESA is available if you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work.

You can use the money to help with living costs if you’re unable to work or as support to get back into work if you’re able to. You can apply if you’re employed, self-employed or unemployed.

• Read More: PIP benefit claimants could be owed up to £12,000 from DWP - see if you are due money

• Get all the latest money news and budgeting tips from Chronicle Live with our free newsletter

ESA, along with other DWP benefits, increased by 6.7% at the start of April, reports Wales Online. Here is how much you can get and how to check if you qualify.

Who qualifies for ESA

You can apply for 'new-style' ESA if you are below state pension age and you have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work. But you also need to have both worked as an employee or been self-employed and paid enough National Insurance contributions – normally in the last two to three years.

You won't be able to get new-style ESA if you are in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance or statutory sick pay but you might be able to if you get Universal Credit at the same time. However, you should be aware that any Universal Credit payment you get will be reduced by the amount you get for new-style ESA if you qualify for both.

The latest figures from the DWP show there are 23 groups of health conditions that could qualify you for ESA. They are:

• 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

How much ESA you can get

The 6.7% uplift to benefits from the beginning of April means you will now get more ESA than last year if you qualify. The new rates are as follows per week:

Single

• Single, under 25: £71.70 (from £67.20)

• Single, 25 or over: £90.50 (from £84.80)

• Lone parent, under 18: £71.70 (from £67.20)

• Lone parent, over 18: £90.50 (from £80.50)

Couple

• Both under 18: £71.70 from (67.20)

• Both under 18 with child: £108.30 (from £101.50)

• Both under 18 (main phase): £90.50 (from £84.80)

• Both under 18 with child (main phase): £142.30 (from £133.30)

• Both over 18: £142.25 (from £133.30)

Premiums

• Enhanced disability, single: £20.85 (from £19.55)

• Enhanced disability, couple: £29.75 (from £27.90)

• Severe disability, single: £81.50 (from £76.40)

• Severe disability, couple (lower rate): £81.50 (from £76.40)

• Severe disability, couple (higher rate): £163 (from £152.80)

• Carer: £45.60 (from £42.75)

• Pensioner, single with work-related activity component: £91.70 (from £82.55)

• Pensioner, single with support component: £79.95 (from £71.55)

• Pensioner, single with no component: £127.65 (from £116.25)

• Pensioner, couple with work-related activity component: £154.75 (from £139.85)

• Pensioner, couple with support component: £143 (from £128.85)

• Pensioner, couple with no component: £190.70 (from £173.55)

• Work-related Activity: £35.95 (from £33.70)

• Support Group: £47.70 (from £44.70)

However, you should note that ESA is paid out every two weeks. That means that, for example, if you are single and over 25, you'll get £181 every two weeks, or £362 if you receive two payments in a four-week period. You can apply for ESA online here or by phone on 0800 055 6688.