The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed the list of 22 medical conditions that qualify people in the UK for Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
This benefit is designed to support those who cannot work or who can only manage limited work because of illness or disability. ESA provides not only financial relief but also tailored employment assistance to help individuals transition back into suitable work when possible.
In April 2025, ESA payments were increased by 1.7 percent in line with inflation, ensuring extra support for struggling households during a period of rising living costs.
What ESA Offers
Employment and Support Allowance is available for individuals who meet both health and financial eligibility criteria. Depending on the type of claim and personal circumstances, weekly payments can reach up to £200.
ESA is offered in two main forms:
- Contribution-based ESA for those who have paid sufficient National Insurance contributions.
- Income-related ESA for those on lower household incomes.
The exact amount an applicant receives depends on medical assessments and financial evaluations carried out by the DWP.
The 22 Eligible Conditions for ESA
The DWP has released the complete list of 22 medical categories that currently qualify for ESA, along with claimant figures for each. These represent the wide range of illnesses and disabilities that affect working-age people across the UK.
| Medical Condition Category | Number of Cases |
|---|---|
| Mental and Behavioural Disorders | 689,342 |
| Musculoskeletal & Connective Tissue Diseases | 176,399 |
| Symptoms, Signs and Abnormal Clinical Findings | 127,699 |
| Nervous System Diseases | 118,767 |
| Circulatory System Diseases | 53,782 |
| Neoplasms (Cancers and Tumors) | 45,977 |
| Factors Influencing Health Status | 32,265 |
| Injury and Poisoning Cases | 31,970 |
| Respiratory System Diseases | 31,281 |
| Digestive System Diseases | 22,012 |
| Congenital Malformations & Chromosomal Abnormalities | 19,956 |
| Endocrine, Nutritional & Metabolic Diseases | 17,750 |
| Eye Diseases | 13,568 |
| Genito-Urinary Diseases | 8,529 |
| Infectious & Parasitic Diseases | 6,834 |
| Ear and Mastoid Diseases | 6,779 |
| Codes for Special Purposes | 6,664 |
| Skin and Subcutaneous Diseases | 5,511 |
| Blood & Immune Disorders | 3,106 |
| External Causes of Morbidity & Mortality | 2,922 |
| Pregnancy and Childbirth Complications | 797 |
| Perinatal Conditions | 7 |
Why Mental and Behavioural Disorders Dominate
Of all categories, mental and behavioural disorders make up the largest share, with nearly 690,000 claimants. These include conditions such as depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder.
Musculoskeletal issues, including arthritis and chronic back pain, are the second-largest group, followed by nervous system conditions such as multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. Together, these categories form the bulk of ESA claims in the UK.
Why This Matters
For many households, ESA is a lifeline benefit, covering essential costs like food, utilities, and housing when work is not possible. The recent inflation-linked increase ensures that payments remain relevant as living expenses climb.
The figures also highlight the scale of long-term health challenges across the UK workforce. By providing ESA, the government aims to balance fairness for claimants while maintaining accountability to taxpayers.
ESA is not only about financial help—it also provides structured support programs to prepare claimants for future employment if their condition improves.
Future of ESA and Policy Updates
The DWP has signaled that it will continue to review eligibility criteria and payment structures. The goal is to ensure fairness and sustainability, especially as the UK population ages and more people live with long-term conditions.
Policymakers continue to face pressure from advocacy groups to expand support and reduce the burden of assessments, which some argue are stressful for vulnerable claimants.
FAQs
Q1: What is ESA and who can claim it?
ESA is a UK benefit that supports people who cannot work due to illness or disability. To qualify, applicants must pass medical and financial eligibility checks.
Q2: How much can you receive through ESA?
Weekly payments can reach up to £200, depending on individual circumstances and whether the claim is contribution-based or income-related.
Q3: What medical conditions qualify for ESA in 2025?
There are 22 categories of medical conditions that qualify, including mental health disorders, musculoskeletal problems, cancers, nervous system diseases, and respiratory conditions.
Q4: Why was ESA increased in 2025?
ESA payments rose by 1.7 percent in April 2025 to keep up with inflation, ensuring claimants maintain their purchasing power despite rising living costs.
Q5: Which condition category has the most claimants?
Mental and behavioural disorders have the highest number of claimants, with more than 689,000 people currently receiving ESA under this category.