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Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Formerly Incapacity Benefit, this is what you may get if you do not qualify for Maternity Allowance but have paid some National Insurance contributions during the last three years, but not many recently

What is it?
ESA is a weekly allowance which can be paid to women who don?t qualify for Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance. It is also possible to get ESA if you are incapable of working because of illness or disability.

Who gets it?
You get ESA if you have paid or been credited with enough National Insurance contributions during the last three tax years that do not overlap the current calendar year. Your Jobcentre Plus adviser will work out whether you can get the benefit. If in doubt, claim.

To claim ESA, use the claim form for Maternity Allowance (link). If you are not entitled to MA, Jobcentre Plus should check automatically to see if you can get ESA.

When is ESA paid to pregnant women?
ESA can be paid from six weeks before your baby is due until two weeks after your baby is born. ESA is currently paid at the rate of £67.75 per week.

For more information, contact your local Jobcentre Plus and apply on form MA1 as for Maternity Allowance.

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