The 23 health conditions that qualify you for £368 payment and seven things you need to know

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12-05-2025

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has issued a caution that individuals might be missing out on significant financial aid. The DWP currently provides employment and support allowance (ESA) to an estimated 1.7 million people across the UK.
This benefit is intended 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 below state pension age, have a disability or health condition that affects your ability to work, and have been either employed or self-employed and paid enough 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, but it can be claimed concurrently with universal credit. However, if you receive both benefits, your universal credit payment will be reduced by the amount you get for new-style ESA.
A variety of conditions could make you eligible for ESA. Here is everything you need to know about ESA including how much you could receive, which health conditions qualify, and how to claim the money.
How do I apply for ESA and which conditions qualify?
You can submit your application for ESA online here or by calling 0800 055 6688. The following information will be required 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
Once you've submitted your application, you'll be contacted via phone and given instructions on when and where to submit your evidence. During the assessment period of your claim, which typically lasts 13 weeks, you'll usually receive the 'assessment rate'.
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.
Full list of Employment and Support Allowance rates increasing from April 2025:
Personal Allowances
Single under 25: £71.70 to £72.90
Single 25 or over: £90.50 to £92.05
Lone parent under 18: £71.70 to £72.90
Lone parent 18 or over: £90.50 to £92.05
Couple
Both under 18: £71.70 to £72.90
Both under 18 with child: £108.30 to £110.15
Both under 18 (main phase): £90.50 to £92.05
Both under 18 with child (main phase): £142.25 to £144.65
One 18 or over, one under 18 (certain conditions apply): £142.25 to £144.65
Both over 18: £142.25 to £144.65
Claimant under 25, partner under 18: £71.70 to £72.90
Claimant 25 or over, partner under 18: £90.50 to £92.05
Claimant (main phase), partner under 18: £90.50 to £92.05
Premiums
Enhanced disability – single: £20.85 to £21.20
Enhance disability – couple: £29.75 to £30.25
Severe disability
Single: £81.50 to £82.90
Couple (lower rate): £81.50 to £82.90
Couple (higher rate): £163.00 to £165.80
Carer: £45.60 to £46.40
Pensioner
Single with work-related activity component: £91.70 to £98.50
Single with support component: £79.95 to £86.55
Single with no component: £127.65 to £135.05
Couple with work-related activity component: £154.75 to £165.40
Couple with support component: £143.00 to £153.45
Couple with no component: £190.70 to £201.95
Components
Work-related activity: £35.95 to £36.55
Support: £47.70 to £48.50
ESA payments are made every two weeks. For example, if you're single and over 25 it adds up to £368.20 over four weeks.
If you're part of the support group and receive income-related ESA, you're also eligible for the enhanced disability premium.
You might also be eligible for the severe disability premium. These are additional amounts added to your ESA.
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. These include:
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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