‘New Style’ Employment and Support Allowance will be payable - to those who meet the claiming criteria - for people with the COVID-19 virus or self-isolating according to government advice, from the first day of sickness, rather than from the eighth day,
A claimant can get up to £74.35/week – the amount won't be affected by either their or their partner's savings or income, though it will be reduced by any private pension the claimant receives if worth more than £85/week.
Someone in receipt of New-Style ESA (NS-ESA) can also receive Universal Credit, but you cannot get Statutory Sick Pay, Maternity Pay, or New-Style Jobseekers Allowance if you are getting NS-ESA.
It will continue in payment for the period the claimant is having to self-isolate. If they are still unable to work, then they may be able to claim New-Style Jobseekers Allowance instead.
NOTE: If someone is off sick for any other reason, standard rules apply and New-Style ESA will kick in from day four, not day one.
Click here for a detailed guide to New-Style Employment and Support Allowance on the gov.uk website.
Claiming New-Style ESA
New Style ESA can be claimed online.
Those who are unable to claim online should ring the UC Helpline 0800 328 5644 (or textphone: 0800 328 1344).
The DWP have stated that:
When a New Style Employment and Support Allowance claim is taken over the phone we will verify a person’s identity at the same time. Claimants do not need to complete a form.
We are aware the phones lines are exceptionally busy and are working to improve the situation as quickly as possible. Claimants will be able to back date their claim and they should keep trying to get through on the phone.
People who have applied for Universal Credit or are already getting Universal Credit should contact their work coach or case manager about applying for New Style Employment and Support Allowance by signing in to their Universal Credit account.'