Employment and Support Allowance weekly rates, income-related ESA and the Universal Credit LCWRA element
New Style ESA rates 2026/27
Stage
Up to, per week
Up to, every 2 weeks
Assessment rate, aged under 25 (first 13 weeks)
£75.65
£151.30
Assessment rate, aged 25 or over (first 13 weeks)
£95.55
£191.10
Work-related activity group (after assessment)
£95.55
£191.10
Support group (after assessment)
£145.90
£291.80
These are the maximum amounts GOV.UK quotes. What you receive can be reduced by a private pension or other income, as set out below. After assessment you are placed in the work-related activity group if you may be able to get back to work in future, and in the support group otherwise or if you are nearing the end of life.
Contributory and New Style ESA: allowances and components, 2026/27 and 2025/26
Weekly rate
2026/27
2025/26
Personal allowance, single, under 25
£75.65
£72.90
Personal allowance, single, 25 or over
£95.55
£92.05
Work-related activity component
£37.95
£36.55
Support component
£50.35
£48.50
From the DWP's Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 tables. The support group maximum is the 25-or-over allowance plus the support component.
Universal Credit LCWRA rates 2026/27
Universal Credit has its own health amount for people who cannot work because of a health condition or disability: the limited capability for work and work-related activity (LCWRA) element. It is paid monthly, on top of the standard allowance, and since 6 April 2026 at two rates.
Universal Credit health element
Per month
LCWRA, higher rate
£429.80
LCWRA, lower rate
£217.26
LCW (limited capability for work), claims started before 3 April 2017
£158.76
Who gets the higher LCWRA amount
You told the DWP about your health condition or disability before 6 April 2026, whatever the date of the LCWRA decision.
You were already getting LCWRA before 6 April 2026.
You had the support group component of income-related ESA before 6 April 2026 and continue to get it until you claim Universal Credit.
You have a severe, lifelong health condition or disability, or are nearing the end of life: this applies whenever you claim.
Who gets the lower LCWRA amount
You get the lower amount only if all of these apply: you declare a health condition or disability on or after 6 April 2026, you do not have a severe, lifelong health condition, you are not nearing the end of life, and your partner (if you have one) is not entitled to the higher amount. In a couple where both of you have LCWRA you get one LCWRA amount, and the higher one if either of you is entitled to it.
You cannot make a new claim for income-related ESA. People who already get it continue to be paid while they are eligible. Household income and savings worth £6,000 or more may affect how much they get.
Weekly rate
2026/27
2025/26
Single, under 25
£77.52
£72.90
Single, 25 or over
£97.75
£92.05
Couple, both over 18
£153.61
£144.65
Work-related activity component
£36.55
£36.55
Support component
£48.50
£48.50
Enhanced disability premium, single
£22.00
£21.20
Enhanced disability premium, couple
£31.40
£30.25
Severe disability premium, single
£86.05
£82.90
Carer premium
£48.15
£46.40
Who can get New Style ESA
You are under State Pension age and have a disability or health condition that affects how much you can work.
You have worked as an employee or been self-employed, and have paid enough National Insurance contributions, usually in the last 2 to 3 years. National Insurance credits also count.
You are not claiming Jobseeker's Allowance or Statutory Sick Pay. You can apply up to 3 months before your SSP ends and start getting ESA as soon as it stops.
New Style ESA earns Class 1 National Insurance credits, which can help towards your State Pension and some benefits.
What can change what you get
Private pension: if you get more than £85 a week, half of the income over £85 is subtracted from New Style ESA.
Work: you can usually work if it is under 16 hours a week and no more than £203.50 a week; voluntary work has no hours limit.
Universal Credit: if you get both, your Universal Credit is reduced by the New Style ESA you receive.
Benefit cap: the cap will not affect you if you are in the support group.
Income-related ESA can qualify you for free NHS dental treatment in England. See the NHS charges page for the prescription, prepayment certificate and dental charges.
Frequently asked questions
What are the ESA rates for 2026/27?
New Style ESA pays up to £75.65 a week if you are aged under 25 and up to £95.55 a week if you are 25 or over. After your assessment, the work-related activity group gets up to £95.55 a week and the support group gets up to £145.90 a week. ESA is paid every 2 weeks.
What is the ESA assessment rate?
While your claim is assessed you normally get the assessment rate for 13 weeks: up to £75.65 a week if you are aged under 25, or up to £95.55 a week if you are 25 or over. If assessment takes longer than 13 weeks you keep getting the assessment rate until you get a decision, and ESA is backdated if you are owed money after 13 weeks.
What is the difference between the work-related activity group and the support group?
After assessment you go into one of two groups. If you may be able to get back into work in the future you are put in the work-related activity group; otherwise you are put in the support group, as are people nearing the end of life. The support group pays more: up to £145.90 a week against up to £95.55 a week.
What does LCWRA mean?
LCWRA means limited capability for work and work-related activity. In Universal Credit it is an extra monthly amount on top of your standard allowance for people who cannot work because of a health condition or disability. From 6 April 2026 it is paid at two rates: £217.26 a month (lower) or £429.80 a month (higher). See the section on Universal Credit LCWRA above for who gets which.
What is the LCWRA rate for 2026?
£217.26 a month at the lower rate and £429.80 a month at the higher rate in 2026/27. The higher rate is paid to people who told the DWP about their condition before 6 April 2026, were already getting LCWRA, or have a severe, lifelong condition or are nearing the end of life.
Can I get ESA and Universal Credit at the same time?
Yes. You might be able to get Universal Credit at the same time as, or instead of, New Style ESA. If you get both, your Universal Credit payment is reduced by the amount you get for New Style ESA. Check the Universal Credit rates or the Universal Credit calculator.
Can I work while claiming ESA?
You can usually work while you claim ESA if you work less than 16 hours a week and do not earn more than £203.50 a week. You can do as many hours of voluntary work as you like. Tell Jobcentre Plus about any work, including volunteering.
Does a private pension reduce ESA?
It can reduce New Style ESA. If you get more than £85 a week from a private pension, half of the private pension income over £85 is subtracted from your ESA payments each week.
Can I still claim income-related ESA?
No. You cannot make a new claim for income-related ESA. If you already get it you continue to be paid while you are eligible until your claim ends, and household income and savings worth £6,000 or more may affect how much you get. New claims are for New Style ESA, which depends on your National Insurance record, or Universal Credit.
Can I get ESA while on Statutory Sick Pay?
No. You cannot get New Style ESA while you claim Statutory Sick Pay or Jobseeker's Allowance, but you can apply up to 3 months before your SSP ends and ESA starts as soon as SSP stops. See the statutory sick pay calculator.
