From February 2011, over two million people will be ‘migrated’ off incapacity benefits. The DWP plans to assess 10,000 people each week to establish their capability for work and entitlement to Employment and Support Allowance.

The introduction of this benefit has not gone smoothly and ESA appeals have increased fourfold since March 2009. The 2nd edition of our ESA guide explains changes since the benefit started in 2008 and covers:

• The migration process for existing claimants
• The claim process for new claimants, eligibility rules and the new Work Capability Assessment which determines entitlement
• Conditions that must be met to continue to claim
• The impact ESA has on other benefits and details of financial help available if your claim is unsuccessful
• How decisions are made and how to challenge a decision

ESA guide 1st Edition: We are keeping our current guide available until the new legislation is finalised in early 2011. It includes an insert highlighting changes since it was first published.

Need to find out quickly about ESA? See our employment and support allowance factsheets.

http://www.disabilityalliance.org/esaguide2011.htm