Employment and Support Allowance time limit

If you’re getting New Style Employment and Support Allowance

If you’re in the ‘Work-Related Activity Group’, you can only get New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) for one year.

You’ll also be affected by this time limit if:

• You’ve been getting New Style ESA and not had an assessment within a year
• You were in the ‘Support Group’ but, after reassessment, you were moved to the Work-Related Activity Group. Your one-year time limit starts at this point

If you’re in the ‘Support Group’ there’s no time limit, you can keep getting New Style ESA if you meet the conditions.

What can I do if my Contributory/New Style ESA is going to stop?

You should get advice to see whether your condition is severe enough for you to be placed into the Support Group. People in the Support Group can get New Style ESA without any time limit.

Use the Turn2us Benefits Calculator to see what other support you could be entitle to.

You can also use our Find an Adviser tool to find a local benefits adviser who can give more advice information on your situation.