Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) - Repeat claims for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

You will not usually be able to claim for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) again if you are found to be capable of work after your Work Capability Assessment (WCA).

There are some exceptions when a new ESA claim will be allowed. The main situations are where:

• your current condition has got a lot worse
• you’re claiming for a new condition.

There are other exceptions that may apply in certain circumstances.

If you're found fit for work and you want to reclaim ESA, you need to find out whether you fall into any of the exceptions groups which will entitle you to reclaim. It is important to get advice before making a new claim. You can use our Find an Adviser tool to find details of local advice agencies in your area.

Getting ESA whilst appealing

If you are appealing against a decision because you are found fit for work after Work Capability Assessment, then depending on the facts, you can still be treated as having limited capability for work while waiting for your appeal outcome. This applies in the following situations:

• If you're found fit for work for the first time (or the first since previous decision that you passed the Work Capability Assessment), or
• If you're found fit for work and you're appealing against 'fit for work' decision for the second or subsequent time and your condition has got significantly worse or you have a new health condition. 

You should seek advice from an experienced adviser if you intend to appeal against an ESA decision. You can use our Find an Adviser tool to find details of local advice agencies in your area.