Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Claiming ESA if you’re nearing the end of life
If you’re nearing the end of life (for example, due to a life-limiting illness) you might be able to get Employment Support Allowance (ESA) more quickly and at a higher rate.
This is sometimes called ‘special rules for end of life’.
You may be able to get other benefits if you’re nearing the end of life.
Eligibility
You’re usually eligible if:
- you’re under State Pension age
- you’ve worked as an employee or have been self-employed
- you’ve paid enough National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years
- your doctor or medical professional has said that you might have 12 months or less to live
It can be difficult to predict how long someone might live for. If a medical professional has not talked to you about this, you can still ask them to support your claim under the special rules for end of life.
You cannot get ESA if you claim Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or Statutory Sick Pay
What you’ll get
You’ll normally get the ‘assessment rate’ while your claim is being assessed.
This will be:
- up to £71.70 a week if you’re aged under 25
- up to £90.50 a week if you’re aged 25 or over
After you’re assessed, you’ll get up to £138.20 a week. You may also be eligible for the disability premium.
You’ll get paid ESA every 2 weeks.
How to claim
Ask a medical professional for form SR1. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Call the Jobcentre Plus new claims helpline if:
- you cannot make an application online
- you’re applying as an appointee on someone else’s behalf
Jobcentre Plus new claims helpline
Telephone: 0800 055 6688
Textphone: 0800 328 1344
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 055 6688
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Welsh language telephone: 0800 328 1744
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
After you apply
DWP will contact you within 10 working days of applying.
You will not need to attend an appointment or make a Claimant Commitment.
If you already get ESA
Ask a medical professional for form SR1. They’ll either fill it in and give the form to you or send it directly to DWP.
Report the change by calling Jobcentre Plus.
Jobcentre Plus
Telephone: 0800 169 0310
Textphone: 0800 169 0314
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 169 0310
British Sign Language (BSL) video relay service if you’re on a computer - find out how to use the service on mobile or tablet
Welsh language: 0800 328 1744
Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm
Find out about call charges
If you get Universal Credit at the same time as ESA, you must also report the change in your Universal Credit account.