Yes, self-employed people can get New Style ESA (Employment and Support Allowance) if illness or disability stops them working and they paid enough National Insurance in the last 2 to 3 tax years. You claim online or by phone. Get a fit note from your doctor first and check your National Insurance record, because that decides whether you get anything.
Can I get New Style ESA if I'm self-employed?
GOV.UK says you can get New Style ESA if all of these apply:
- you are under State Pension age
- a health condition or disability affects how much you can work
- you worked as an employee or were self-employed
- you paid or were credited with enough National Insurance, usually in the last 2 to 3 years (the 2 full tax years before the year you claim)
You cannot get it while you get Statutory Sick Pay or Jobseeker's Allowance. Statutory Sick Pay is only for employees, so self-employed people go straight to ESA.
Good news: New Style ESA does not look at your savings or your partner's income.
Which National Insurance counts if I'm self-employed?
This is where most self-employed people get caught out.
- Class 2 counts for New Style ESA. Class 4 does not count for any benefit.
- Profits of £7,105 a year or more: your Class 2 is treated as paid automatically. You do not have to do anything.
- Profits under £7,105: you did not have to pay, so those years may be empty. Only years where you paid voluntary Class 2 count (£3.65 a week in 2026/27). Class 3 voluntary contributions do not count for ESA.
- Years when you were employed and paid Class 1, or got National Insurance credits, also count.
Check your record before you claim. Use "Check your National Insurance record" on GOV.UK or the HMRC app. If you see gaps in self-employed years with low profits, ask HMRC whether you can still pay voluntary Class 2 for them. GOV.UK says last year is charged at last year's rate, and earlier years at the current rate.
How much is New Style ESA in 2026/27?
| Stage | Weekly amount (up to) |
|---|---|
| Assessment phase, under 25 | £75.65 |
| Assessment phase, 25 or over | £95.55 |
| Work-related activity group | £95.55 |
| Support group | £145.90 |
The assessment phase usually lasts 13 weeks, longer if your assessment takes longer. ESA is paid every 2 weeks. Usually the first 7 days of the claim are not paid ("waiting days"). A personal pension over £85 a week reduces ESA.
What do I need before I start?
- your National Insurance number
- bank or building society details (it can be a family member's account)
- your doctor's name, address and phone number
- a fit note if you have been unable to work for more than 7 days in a row. A GP, hospital doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physiotherapist or occupational therapist can give it.
- details of any income, if you still do some work
How do I claim New Style ESA, step by step?
- Get a fit note from your GP or hospital. Without it the claim stalls.
- Check your National Insurance record (see above). Note any self-employed years with low profits.
- Apply online at apply-new-style-employment-support-allowance.service.gov.uk, or phone the Jobcentre Plus new claims line on 0800 055 6688 (Welsh 0800 328 1744, Relay UK 18001 then 0800 055 6688), Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm. In Northern Ireland apply through nidirect or call 0800 587 1377 (check opening hours on nidirect).
- Wait for DWP to contact you, usually within 10 working days. GOV.UK says it is currently taking longer, so keep your phone on.
- Go to the work coach appointment and agree your "Claimant Commitment".
- Get the decision letter and your first payment.
- Fill in form WCA50 (it replaced the ESA50 in November 2025). It usually comes by post around 4 weeks after your first payment (if you already have an older ESA50, you can send that back instead). Send it back within 28 days.
- Go to the Work Capability Assessment if you are asked (in person, video or phone). You can bring someone with you.
- Get the decision: work-related activity group or support group. Keep sending fit notes when they run out.
- Report changes, for example if you start working again.
Still doing some work? Tell DWP before you do any work while claiming. Special rules apply and unreported work can stop your ESA.
I have no money right now. What can I do today?
New Style ESA takes time. While you wait:
- Universal Credit: if your savings are £16,000 or less, you may be able to claim it as well. You can ask for an advance in your first weeks. If you get both, ESA is taken off your Universal Credit. If you are already on Universal Credit as self-employed, send your fit note and ask your work coach how the Minimum Income Floor applies while you are ill.
- Emergency help: in England your council's Crisis and Resilience Fund, in Wales the Discretionary Assistance Fund, in Scotland the Scottish Welfare Fund (through your council), in Northern Ireland Discretionary Support.
- Council Tax Reduction: ask your council, it is a separate claim.
How much time do I have?
| Event | Counted from | How long | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| DWP contacts you | Applying | Usually 10 working days (now slower) | GOV.UK |
| Waiting days (not paid) | Start of claim | Usually 7 days | nidirect |
| Form WCA50 arrives | First payment | Around 4 weeks | GOV.UK |
| Send WCA50 back | Receiving it | 28 days | GOV.UK |
| Assessment phase | Start of claim | Usually 13 weeks | GOV.UK |
| ESA in the work-related activity group | Start of claim | 365 days | nidirect |
| Challenge a decision | Date of decision letter | Usually 1 month | GOV.UK |
Fill in your claim with us, step by step
The online application and the WCA50 form are in English, and one wrong answer can delay your money. UK Help Agent takes you through them in your language:
- Check your situation for free. Record a voice message in your language, or send a photo of a DWP letter. You get, free, what it means, what you can expect and what to do first.
- Fill in the application page by page. Take a screenshot of each page of the GOV.UK form and send it. Your first screenshot is free: we tell you, in your language, what each field on it asks, and give full help with 2 fields. The whole form page by page (what each field means, where to find it, a ready answer in English to type in) costs £4 for up to 8 screenshots, or £10 for a long form like the WCA50 (up to 24).
- Write your answers in your own language. We turn them into English for you to copy into the form.
- If you are refused, we write your mandatory reconsideration request in English (£4).
Be honest on every form. Describe how your condition really affects you on a bad day and a good day. Do not leave things out, because that is the most common reason for being refused. Do not exaggerate either: these forms are legal declarations, and false information can mean paying money back and prosecution. We help you say the true thing clearly, in good English.
Start for free: record what happened, or send a photo of a letter or a form.
What if I'm refused?
If DWP says you did not pay enough National Insurance, check the years they used against your record. Ask whether voluntary Class 2 can still fill a gap. If you disagree with any decision, ask for a mandatory reconsideration, usually within 1 month of the decision letter. After that you can appeal to a tribunal for free.
Where can I get free help?
- Citizens Advice: free advice on ESA and filling in forms, Adviceline 0800 144 8848 (England), Advicelink 0800 702 2020 (Wales).
- Jobcentre Plus new claims: 0800 055 6688.
- HMRC for your National Insurance record and voluntary contributions.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get New Style ESA if I'm self-employed?
Yes, if a health condition or disability affects how much you can work and you paid or were credited with enough Class 1 or Class 2 National Insurance, usually in the last 2 to 3 tax years. Class 4 does not count.
My profits were low. Do I still qualify?
If your profits were £7,105 a year or more, your Class 2 is treated as paid. If they were lower, you only have the Class 2 years you paid voluntarily (£3.65 a week in 2026/27). Check your National Insurance record before you claim.
How much is New Style ESA in 2026/27?
While you are assessed: up to £75.65 a week if you are under 25, up to £95.55 a week if you are 25 or over. After the assessment: up to £95.55 a week in the work-related activity group or up to £145.90 a week in the support group. It is paid every 2 weeks.
Do my savings or my partner's income matter?
No. New Style ESA does not look at savings or your partner's income. A personal pension can reduce it.
How long does New Style ESA last?
365 days if you are in the work-related activity group. No time limit in the support group.
Can I get Universal Credit as well?
Possibly, if your income and savings are low enough (£16,000 or less). If you get both, your Universal Credit is reduced by your ESA.
Sources
- GOV.UK: ESA eligibility
- GOV.UK: How to claim ESA
- GOV.UK: ESA, what you'll get
- GOV.UK: How to claim New Style ESA, step by step
- GOV.UK: New Style Employment and Support Allowance
- GOV.UK: New Style ESA detailed guide
- GOV.UK: What National Insurance is for
- GOV.UK: National Insurance classes
- GOV.UK: Voluntary National Insurance rates
- GOV.UK: Who can pay voluntary National Insurance
- GOV.UK: Check your National Insurance record
- GOV.UK: Self-employed National Insurance rates
- GOV.UK: Mandatory reconsideration
- nidirect: Employment and Support Allowance
- Citizens Advice: Employment and Support Allowance
Checked on: 2026-10-21
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules can change. For your own case, check the sources above or ask a free adviser, for example Citizens Advice.